Mexico City is here, folks. Is this what you want your cities to look like? Are you okay with it because it's in a neighborhood other than yours?
Posted on 12/23/2014 9:42:19 AM PST by dennisw
Silva, 44, scraped ice from a large frozen block into a cup and doused it with lime flavoring. The street vendor had been standing in a busy downtown Los Angeles alley for hours already this weekday afternoon.
Street vendors like Silva are operating illegally. They have to be as ready to scatter when a police cruiser drives by as they are to make a sale.
This month, an L.A. council committee took a step toward legalizing and regulating street vending, discussing how sellers could obtain city permits. The plan has unleashed fierce debate over whether to legitimize the underground economy.
Some neighborhood councils support the plan, others such as Studio City Neighborhood Council members say they are against having street vendors in Studio City — legal or not.
"Putting street vendors in would only, in our opinion, cause more of a traffic jam and hinder people and perhaps become a real issue with cars and pedestrians," said John Walker, president of the Studio City Neighborhood Council. "Some want them and probably have the room for them. We simply don't have the room for them."
The potential legitimization of the city's underground economy is raising hopes among illegal vendors who work in fear of being fined and having their wares and carts confiscated.
I have to work to pay my rent, my bills, clothes and for food -- to provide basics for my son. We're all trying to find ways to make a living. - Reyna Silva, street vendor
Carlos Chavez sells tacos out of a baby stroller, which is convenient for quick getaways. When a customer asks for a soda, the 50-year-old explains that he can't carry too much product because it could get taken away by police. He's lost his cart in busts at least six times, Chavez said.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Further proof that we are becoming a banana republic third world cess pool.
The street vendors in Manila are probably better regulated than the ones in LA. There were several out front of the hospital where I had surgery..selling fruit cut up to hospital employees and visitors.
Yeah its not so simple as the story makes it sound. Many of these “businessmen” are illegals not paying taxes and often buying ingredients at taxpayer expense.
There should be health inspections but licensing should be cheap enough to encourage more.
I used to buy sandwiches from a guy who carried them in a cooler in the trunk of his car. It wasn’t quite legal but he owned a restaurant a few blocks from the shop so he was paying taxes and being inspected for everything short of the coolers.
Although the apologists will never acknowledge it, this incident illustrates one of the most important aspects of our immigration laws: Medical inspections and health standards for prospective immigrants. Meanwhile, we’re on our way to being the next Tijuana, and the liberals are having a ball.
I used to shop sometimes at a Mom-n-Pop grocery in my neighborhood. Run by a Yemeni guy. At first I couldn’t figure out why his prices always seemed wrong. Then one day it struck me. He never used his Cash Register and he never charged any Sales Tax!
I can only speculate on what he used to report to the Tax people...
Awww, why doncha just give up and just go on welfare, like all the rest of them. The dems want you on their plantation and want your vote. They also want your son.
Just like in Tijuana!
Hurray!
So am I. Great economy, isn’t it?
But it is nice to have fresh eggs when you’ve gone a week without power and refrigeration after a hurricane and have to cook on a camp stove.
I have a friend who is half Mexican and half Filipino. He and his dad owned a bar in a Mexican part of a small town. I was up there one night visiting and was sitting at the bar waiting on him while he checked on his dad who was running a card game. A lady (Mexican, Filipino, no idea) came in selling burritos and I bought one. He came over and took it out of my hands and threw it in the garbage and gave me a lecture about eating homemade stuff.
I’ve never forgot it and refuse to eat off carts, etc. now.
“Our scarce public resources and taxpayer dollars should be used going after real criminals.”
A criminal is a criminal is a criminal. They are breaking the law. Laws and regulations are in place, not only to raise revenue but for the protection of American citizens. Who decides what a “real” criminal is? Our resources might not be so scarce if they weren’t being sucked up to feed and provide free medical care for these “non-criminal” illegals. A thief is a thief.
Go ahead and support them by buying their wares at your own peril and don’t complain when you find out they wash their meat in public toilets. By the way, has anyone noticed a stray cat shortage in the area?
But,but,but...
On the news they said he was choked by the cops!
The main news reporters are divinely inspired and give us all the news that fits.
Or something like that.
That’s awful!!
Personally don’t like L.A., but in 1999 I was compelled to tour various facilities for my brother’s business there, and I saw then what I knew were illegal street vendors selling tacos, burritos, menudo, etc. RIGHT OUTSIDE legitimate, taxpaying, health law abiding, ‘A’ rated BIG NAME fast food restaurants that were all but empty at lunch time.
I wondered at the time how they got away with it all, and then later I found out the government employees that regulate the businesses in Los Angeles were all of Hispanic descent, and a blind eye was being turned to the in plain view, illegal street vendors.
Flame away suckers. I’ll ignore your bs comments to the opposite, because I know better. The enemy is within.
How many are illegal aliens who are never paying any taxes?
***
Exactly.
Ewww. Your story just reinforces my view that buying from a street vendor could be hazardous to your health.
Wow! You had to learn that when you were old enough to be in a bar? My mother taught me about being careful about food sources at a very early age.
Go back to DU
and they should be able to get a business license, pass the dept of health inspections, pay taxes, and be living here legally. People who don't, are real criminals.
Just NO loosies! Talking High taxes being lost.
Mexico City is here, folks. Is this what you want your cities to look like? Are you okay with it because it's in a neighborhood other than yours?
What is awful?
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