Nearly four years ago I contacted Congressman Nugent’s office about a tax fraud scheme that “undocumented workers” are using to extort more than $4.3 Billion from the government every year. The record of this scheme can be seen on You-Tube under “WTHR: IRS OK’s Phony Documents.” Briefly, it describes how these workers claim as many as 25 children/cousins and nephews (who live in Mexico) under the Child Tax Credit and walk away with as much as a $30,000 tax refund.
At that time, Congressman Nugent answered that he was aware of the “problem” and was a co-sponsor of a bill to prevent this from happening. I was perplexed that we would need a bill to prevent fraud from tax filers, but apparently “undocumented workers” have different privileges than the citizens of this country.
On June 1, 2015, I followed up with the Congressman’s office to see what, if anything had been accomplished. “What is the status of the bill that the Congressman co-sponsored?” The answer provides some insight into how our government works:
• The Bill has not moved forward. Why?
• John Boehner is exercising retribution against Congressman Nugent for a recent negative vote. I assume that is because Congressman Nugent did not support Boehner for Speaker and he also voted against the recent Trade Bill. Good for him.
• Congressman Nugent is not a sheriff. He cannot arrest anyone.
• In the meantime, the fraud continues
I have to accept these answers as factual. Do I believe them? Absolutely not! First, the Bill that he claims to co-sponsor was/is a bill that has numerous co-signers. Second, since there were numerous co-signers to the Bill, I do not believe Boehner has reason to get even with all of them. Third, as I explained to the Aide, we gave Congressman Nugent a Pulpit to voice his concerns. Not once has he brought this issue to the attention of voters in his district. Does he have to pander to the Latino vote as well?
In fairness to the Congressman, this is the result of another “well-intended” law run amok:
• Congress passed a law that mandated that Undocumented Workers must pay income taxes.
• Since they were not eligible for a Social Security number, the undocumented workers are given an ITIN number (Individual Tax Identification Number) if they can produce two verifiable documents.
• The IRS has directed its agents to accept, without inquiry, documents that, the agents themselves admit, cannot be interpreted. The agents also warn that their job performance is based upon how many of these ITIN’s they can execute daily.
• The IRS refuses to be interviewed on this problem even though the Inspector General has made all of Congress aware of the fraud.
Meanwhile, the fraud continues because no one in Washington wants to deal with it. Is this ignorance, incompetence or is it a broader scheme by our Permanent Political Class to ignore our laws…like they do so many others?
As we approach another Presidential election you will hear from our two Florida Candidates that they are for Immigration Reform. They want to allow these poor workers to come “out of the shadows.” Here is my message to Mr. Bush and Mr. Rubio as well as Congressman Nugent:
• MOST UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS ARE NOT IN THE SHADOWS!
• We send them tax refunds every year. We give them food stamps and welfare assistance that is more than twice what our own citizens receive. We have their address.
• More than 300,000 are in our prison system.
• Their kids are in our schools…receiving subsistence.
• They have created their own schools and fly their own flags while receiving government tax assistance.
Author John Quinton said, “Politicians are people who, when they see the light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy more tunnel.” I can only conclude that Congressman Nugent supports the “illegal” right to the protection under our Constitution, but our laws do not apply to them.
God Bless America!
Richard Sobieray is a resident of The Villages.