pretty sad statement on the status quo when the underground economy is stronger than the "legitimate" economy is in the tank.
Now if only the global movers and shakers would stop trying to fill their own pockets at the expense of their own consumers.

The underground economy is successful because prices and products are based on what the consumers want at the price they are willing to pay with a good dose of competition keeping prices in line and even falling as the products reach market saturation.

The legitimate economy on the other hand tries to suck every penny out of consumers pockets with price and availability being set in the ivory towers, not by the market.

If my statements were not correct, then why are we being shafted by Canadian telecoms and other service providers?

Using the telecoms as the example, with the market saturation of mobile phones we should be down to $10 per month with no horrendous charges for text and data. Instead we are gouged to the tune of over a $100 per month PLUS text and data charges.
I know some of you will come back with the smoking deal they have to refute my argument. Well good for you. That would be a one off special deal only offered to certain consumers at certain times.

In Asia, mobile phones now outstrip land lines due to not only the convenience, but also the price they pay. Talk to someone from Japan about what we pay for service and what we get for that fee, they are absolutely aghast that not only are we being raped in such a fashion, but also that we are dumb enough to accept it.

Stop buying cell phones. Problem solved.

What was costing my wife about 40 bucks a month on a 20 dollar contract, went to 10 dollars a month on pay and talk. She rarely uses the 10 bucks. If you use a cel when you need it as opposed to gossip, it is quite cheap. The 'contract' has a stack of fraudulent charges on it where the pay and talk doesn't even have tax.