Clay Nelson, Life Balance: Why Should We Pay the Price for an Immigration Loophole?

Another $8.9 billion mistake? Tell the government, enough is enough

By Clay Nelson, Life Balance | Published on 04.20.2009

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I’ve written a lot about standing up for what we believe in and holding those elected to public office accountable for doing what they say they are going to do, for doing right by their constituents. And one of the issues for which we constituents should all be standing up and speaking out about is the question of immigration — legal and otherwise — and its effects on our country. Yet, all too often — especially in those areas where the surge of immigrants isn’t so visibly obvious — we look the other way thinking, “It isn’t my problem.” Well, let me tell you, whether you live right here in Southern California or you live in Iowa, it is our problem! So, if the stress on our medical and social programs isn’t enough to get you revved up and passionate about pushing for a solution, maybe learning that the impact to your pocketbook is going to be even greater will get you going!

Clay Nelson
Clay Nelson

At the end of last week a report was published estimating that $8.9 billion will be paid — wrongfully so — by the Internal Revenue Service to foreign workers over the next five years. This payment is in the form of the Earned Income Tax Credit, for which legal and illegal immigrants alike can qualify by filing taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not here to bash immigrants, deny immigrants rights, or make any sort of stereotypical judgments. What I am upset about is our government’s seeming inability or desire to close the loopholes, follow the laws that are on the books, and do what is right by the citizens of this country!

Our nation is facing record-breaking deficits, we’re bailing out companies that, frankly, don’t deserve bailing out, and the IRS and the Social Security Administration can’t seem to get it together enough to weed out who really should be getting the tax credit and who shouldn’t. Instead, the IRS says the Social Security Administration isn’t doing its job, and the Social Security Administration says the IRS isn’t doing its job. So now we are stuck in a vicious circle of finger-pointing, shoulder shrugging, and pundits saying, “I told you so,” and in the meantime, we the citizens of this country are having more and more money pilfered right out of our pockets. When does enough become enough?

I don’t mind paying my fair share; I don’t even mind giving extra when I have extra to give, but I am fed up with all the talk about accountability and transparency. I’m fed up because it is all talk. There are some who believe that specific wording, inside of legislation related to income tax credits, was purposely left out to create this multibillion-dollar loophole. So much for accountability and transparency! And if this is a leftover from the previous administration, as some say it is, then why not jump on closing the loophole?

This potential $8.9 billion mistake is something we should all be standing up and screaming about. I’m writing my congressional representative today. How about you?

— Santa Barbara resident Clay Nelson founded Clay Nelson Life Balance™ to provide businesses and individuals with what may be missing in their lives: purpose, personal and business planning, fun, effective delegation through team management, and accountability. Click here to download Clay’s complimentary e-book, The Balanced Life — How to Put Fun, Family and Financial Freedom into Your Business and Personal Life. Click here to subscribe to the free podcast of The Clay Nelson Life Balance™ Hour.

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» Realist on 04.21.09 @ 04:56 AM

Amen!
But don’t you know that we can’t do without them, they just come here to work and pay taxes:

http://www.noozhawk.com/local_news/article/042109_campers_stumble_on_26_million_worth_of_marijuana_plants


» Disappointed on 04.21.09 @ 11:05 AM

Clay, I’ve enjoyed your show and your column and learned a lot from you. I’m disappointed that you’ve decided to become a political columnist as well as a life coach.

There are already lots of people out there who think they are qualified to tell me what I should think/believe/do.

I’m sorry you’ve decided to join them.


» Time to obey the law on 04.21.09 @ 06:45 PM

Arrest and deport all 20 Million, and put the 20 million unemployeed to work who are Americans.


» Clay Nelson on 04.22.09 @ 05:17 AM

Dear Disappointed,

You are correct, I am a life coach, and there just so happens to be a lot going on in the world that affects my life, your life, and the lives of children that haven’t even been born yet. Please do understand, I’m not saying that the world is wrong and bad; I’m not even taking a political side. I am, however, doing everything I can to wake us all up… get people involved… and make sure that everyone understands that accountability is more than just talk, it is action.  Integrity is more than just a smile and a handshake; it is doing what you say you are going to do. “Talk” gets us no where, but action will!

No matter what title the world has pinned on us - life coach, engineer, writer, activist, Mom, Dad, welder - we are all participants on the planet, and no one is required or even asked to believe/do/think the way someone else does, but I would ask that we all at least ‘think’ about the world and what we can do to make it better for ourselves and those around us.  And my friend, I thank you for taking the time to write a comment. It shows that you are paying attention, thought about the issue, and that I got my job done.

Best Regards,

Clay


» SB Res on 04.22.09 @ 01:03 PM

While I agree that this $8.9 Billion loophole should be closed I would also like to see a story about the “positive” loopholes that exist because if immigrants paying taxes. For instance, how many illegal immigrants have taxes automatically deducted from their checks, but never or cannot seek a refund? What about SSA deductions that will never be collected? Etc. Many people are far too eager to point out the negatives of illegal immigration and never take the time to think about the beneficial aspects that may exist.


» b_reynaldo on 04.22.09 @ 03:27 PM

This abuse of the EITC is obscene.  The tax credit was originally designed to encourage those on welfare to switch to work, even if it was low-paying.  The credit was not intended to encourage illegal immigration.  For too long, we have been collectively intimidated by indiscriminate cries of racism. This is especially ironic given the pro-Latino bigotry of organizations like MEChA, NCLR and MALDEF.  When people break into our home, our country, it certainly puts our life “out of balance,” and the stress caused by mass immigration without assimilation in defiance of our laws is a legitimate topic of discussion.


» b_reynaldo on 04.22.09 @ 03:29 PM

Also, Mr. Nelson defensively says he is not here to “bash immigrants.”  Here’s just one example of America bashing and white bashing by illegal immigrants from Maywood, California.  Listen to the cries of “guero, guero.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y721T9nX0k&feature=PlayList&p=779809BF2EE69B32&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=23


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