Clay Nelson, Life Balance: Why Should We Pay the Price for an Immigration Loophole?
http://www.noozhawk.com/noozhawk/article/042009_clay_nelson_life_balance_immigration_loophole/
Another $8.9 billion mistake? Tell the government, enough is enough
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!
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.
http://www.noozhawk.com/noozhawk/article/042009_clay_nelson_life_balance_immigration_loophole/