# Denver Suburb wants to make it a crime to hire a day laborer. WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 29, 2006, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628 "2006-08-29T04:41:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![T\_SQUARE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@T\_SQUARE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_SQUARE)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/1 "2006-08-29T04:41:48Z")
[Link.](http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4950372,00.html) So, if I understand correctly, this proposal will make it illegal for someone to give another party “money” in exchange for “work” on a day to day basis. Are they fucking high? How much more god damn economically efficient can you fucking get? This is clearly proposed to drive out illegal immigrants, despite claims to the contrary. That’s not my issue. If your aim is to get rid of illegals, do it without fucking up commerce. I mean, by definition, illegals are already, you know, illegal. Meanwhile, how the fuck am I supposed to get this damned pallet of Quik-crete unloaded? Huh? In this country, I should be able to offer anyone at anytime consideration in exchange for labor of any term, and the party should have the right to accept or reject my offer. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/2 "2006-08-29T05:04:58Z")
I can see the sting operations in my head already: “Hey mister, I’ll mow your lawn for a dollar!” “Why, sure, sonny! Here you go!” “FREEZE, COCKSUCKER! YOU’RE BUSTED!” ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/3 "2006-08-29T05:07:16Z")
Ya know, if my home town had a law like that when I was growing up, I never could have bought my first car. I did any kind of odd job I could find, mostly yard work, sometimes painting, whatever I could find. Saved for about 3 years, borrowed a bit from my dad, and had the car paid for before my 16th birthday. ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/4 "2006-08-29T05:16:42Z")
How did America become the land of bigots again? After all these years? After all the waves of immigrants that MADE this country. After all the civil rights struggle’s gains. I’m _embarrassed_ to be associated with the collective conscious of this nation anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/5 "2006-08-29T05:27:42Z")
For about the millionth time, having a problem with illegal immigration does not make one a bigot, and I’d thank you to stop saying that because that is an extremely disingenuous argument. I have no problem with Mexicans or anyone else. I have a problem with criminals- you know, the ones with the word “illegal” attached to them. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/6 "2006-08-29T05:33:41Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] I have a problem with criminals- you know, the ones with the word “illegal” attached to them. [/QUOTE] And if you want to hire a guy to cut the grass do you really ask for a copy of their birth certificate and SSN first? Or perhaps you use your special mind control powers to determine citizenship? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/7 "2006-08-29T05:35:49Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] For about the millionth time, having a problem with illegal immigration does not make one a bigot, and I’d thank you to stop saying that because that is an extremely disingenuous argument. I have no problem with Mexicans or anyone else. I have a problem with criminals- you know, the ones with the word “illegal” attached to them. [/QUOTE] Maybe not you, **Airman**. But MANY others. I stand by what I said. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/8 "2006-08-29T05:42:19Z")
[QUOTE=Tapioca Dextrin] And if you want to hire a guy to cut the grass do you really ask for a copy of their birth certificate and SSN first? Or perhaps you use your special mind control powers to determine citizenship? :dubious: [/QUOTE] I wasn’t addressing the specifics of the legislation, which is unenforceable at best and stupid to boot. No, I was addressing the “anti-illegal immigration=racist” argument that is thrown out here like we’re talking about the same thing. It’s an attempt by people to reframe the issue by making it a bigotry problem rather than a law enforcement one. ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/9 "2006-08-29T05:46:30Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] I wasn’t addressing the specifics of the legislation, which is unenforceable at best and stupid to boot. No, I was addressing the “anti-illegal immigration=racist” argument that is thrown out here like we’re talking about the same thing. It’s an attempt by people to reframe the issue by making it a bigotry problem rather than a law enforcement one. [/QUOTE] And you so easily make it into an illegal=criminal argument. I do things that are illegal, and I don’t feel that that makes me some scourge on society. I suspect that some Air Force/military brainwashing has warped your brain. There is only black and white. You’re wrong, I’m right. You should listen to the administration bullshit you spew, **Doors**. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/10 "2006-08-29T05:47:43Z")
Stupid, stupid idea. Let’s keep it in perspective, though. It’s not the “Denver Suburb” that wants to do it, it’s one cooky person on the Town Council. The link doesn’t list even one other person who supports it. Also, note that: > [@](#): > > Lasso said other cities around the country have tried to impose similar ordinances, only to have them overturned by federal courts. So, yeah, this nutty person deserves to be Pitted, but it looks like this ordinance is on the fast track to nowhere. ---
**Author:** ![AFAIKnow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a6a055/32.png) [@AFAIKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AFAIKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/11 "2006-08-29T06:26:44Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] So, yeah, this nutty person deserves to be Pitted, but it looks like this ordinance is on the fast track to nowhere. [/QUOTE] But…but… the US just suxxors. This is proof every red blooded American wants to roast Mexican babies alive and not even have the courtesy of admitting they would eat any other baby if it wasn’t “dark meat”. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/12 "2006-08-29T06:50:10Z")
[QUOTE=AFAIKnow] But…but… the US just suxxors. This is proof every red blooded American wants to roast Mexican babies alive and not even have the courtesy of admitting they would eat any other baby if it wasn’t “dark meat”. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] YMMV, but I think Swedish babies are way tastier! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/13 "2006-08-29T06:54:40Z")
[QUOTE=if6was9] And you so easily make it into an illegal=criminal argument. [/QUOTE] :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/14 "2006-08-29T06:55:59Z")
Last week, one of the programmers here was talking about getting some money on the side by doing little jobs for the kind of small businesses that only need an IT guy a couple hours a week. Weekly backups of the business’ computer, installing the latest version of MSOffice, that kind of thing. He was happily surprised when I told him that here in Spain it’s legal to hold those jobs without setting yourself up as “self-employed” or paying Social Security, VAT, etc., so long as the total amount of hours you have them is below 20h/wk. The government sees those as “submerged economy but ok”, as opposed to the construction companies that have dozens of people working 60h/wk and pay 20 of those hours under the table. As a Labor Minister once put it “we aren’t hunting for babysitters”. Looks like that guy wants to hunt for babysitters. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/15 "2006-08-29T06:57:17Z")
[QUOTE=AFAIKnow] This is proof every red blooded American wants to roast Mexican babies alive and not even have the courtesy of admitting they would eat any other baby if it wasn’t “dark meat”. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] No, no, Americans want to eat Mexican babies **raw**. It’s the **Iraqi** babies that taste better cooked. Especially with some fava beans and a nice Chianti. ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/16 "2006-08-29T07:09:47Z")
[QUOTE=Miller] :dubious: [/QUOTE] What? **Airman Doors** is so convinced that “illegal immigrant” is the same as a criminal, is the same as the terrists. He makes it sound like they are taking over our world. The fuck they are! Has an illegal stolen **your** job? Have they stolen **Doors** job? Haven’t stolen mine. WTF is y’all’s problem? I just DON’T understand… 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/17 "2006-08-29T07:25:54Z")
[QUOTE=if6was9] What? **Airman Doors** is so convinced that “illegal immigrant” is the same as a criminal, is the same as the terrists. [/QUOTE] :dubious: :dubious: Stop being on my side of the debate. ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/18 "2006-08-29T07:31:30Z")
Whooshed me for a sec, **Miller**. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![T\_SQUARE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@T\_SQUARE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_SQUARE)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/19 "2006-08-29T07:34:29Z")
[QUOTE=if6was9] WTF is y’all’s problem? I just DON’T understand… 😕 [/QUOTE] My problem is this forty tons of gravel that ain’t gonna spread itself. This was kind of supposed to be about politicians and ignorance to the economic law of unintended consequences, not so much immigration. But, such is the pit I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2006, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628/20 "2006-08-29T07:39:32Z")
[QUOTE=if6was9] I just DON’T understand… 😕 [/QUOTE] Based on your posts in this thread so far, this must be your mantra. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denver-suburb-wants-to-make-it-a-crime-to-hire-a-day-laborer-wtf/370628.md?page=2)