Wash. Times echoes recovery bill falsehoods on undocumented immigrants, ACORN
SUMMARY: The Washington Times falsely claimed that the House-passed economic recovery bill "allows payment of checks to undocumented immigrants," and repeated the falsehood that "much" of the $4.19 billion allocated for a Neighborhood Stabilization Program in the bill "might go to ACORN." In fact, under the bill, undocumented immigrants without Social Security numbers are not eligible for tax credits, and the bill does not mention ACORN or otherwise single it out for funding.
In a February 2 editorial titled, "The stimulus bill that isn't," The Washington Times falsely claimed that the House-passed economic recovery bill "allows payment of checks to undocumented immigrants filing tax returns using an alternative number to the normal Social Security number." In fact, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act specifically precludes from eligibility for the Making Work Pay tax credit of $500 per individual and $1,000 per family "any individual unless the requirements of section 32(c)(1)(E) are met with respect to such individual." Those requirements include "a social security number issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration." Additionally, echoing a press release from the office of House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), the Times falsely claimed that the bill allocated "$4.19 billion for a Neighborhood Stabilization Program (much of which might go to ACORN [the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now], the discredited activist organization that the FBI is investigating for vote fraud)." In fact, the recovery bill does not mention ACORN or otherwise single it out for funding, and ACORN has denied that they are either eligible for these funds or plan to apply for them.
As Media Matters for America has documented, Section 32(c)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code, which specifies requirements for individuals to qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, states:
(E) Identification number requirement
No credit shall be allowed under this section to an eligible individual who does not include on the return of tax for the taxable year --
(i) such individual's taxpayer identification number, and
(ii) if the individual is married (within the meaning of section 7703), the taxpayer identification number of such individual's spouse.
The law defines "taxpayer identification number" as used in 32(c)(1)(E) as "a social security number issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration":
(m) Identification numbers
Solely for purposes of subsections (c)(1)(E) and (c)(3)(D), a taxpayer identification number means a social security number issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration (other than a social security number issued pursuant to clause (II) (or that portion of clause (III) that relates to clause (II)) of section 205(c)(2)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act).
Therefore, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act bars anyone without "a social security number issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration" from eligibility for Making Work Pay tax credits. This claim appears to have originated from a false January 30 Associated Press report that was revised later that day to make clear that "[i]llegal immigrants without Social Security numbers could not get tax credits" under the stimulus bill.
As Media Matters has documented, contrary to the Times' suggestion, the recovery bill does not mention ACORN or otherwise single it out for funding and requires that the $4.19 billion it allocates for "neighborhood stabilization activities" be distributed through competitive processes. The relevant provision would require that "not less than $3,440,000,000 shall be allocated by a competition" to "States, units of general local government, and nonprofit entities or consortia of nonprofit entities," and that "up to $750,000,000 shall be awarded by competition to nonprofit entities or consortia of nonprofit entities to provide community stabilization assistance."
Moreover, ACORN has denied that it is eligible for the "neighborhood stabilization funds," and has stated that it does not intend to apply for them. After Boehner's office issued press releases claiming that the recovery bill "makes groups like ACORN eligible for a $4.19 billion pot of money for 'neighborhood stabilization activities,' " in a January 28 press release, ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis called the claim an "obfuscation" that "was picked up across the right-wing echo chamber and has been used as a fig leaf by conservatives in their attempts to justify their opposition to progressive economic policies." She further stated: "We have not received neighborhood stabilization funds, have no plans to apply for such funds, and didn't weigh in on the pending rule changes." On January 29, Lewis wrote on The Huffington Post, "[L]et's be clear. ACORN isn't getting any of this money. Since it is set aside for non-profit housing developers to help purchase, rehab, and resell foreclosed properties, we aren't eligible for it in the first place." She also said of the "ridiculous" claim: "[T]his $4 billion is pretty much like the last billion we read about in GOP press releases: a complete fabrication of overheated partisan fever dreams."
Media Matters previously documented that Fox Business Network's Elizabeth MacDonald, Fox News' Steve Doocy, and conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh all made the false claim that ACORN would receive billions of dollars from the recovery bill. The Hill and the San Francisco Chronicle also repeated the falsehood.
From the February 2 Washington Times editorial:
As it stands the bill fulfills, at least to a degree, the wish lists of virtually every liberal in Washington and the 50 states. Less than 5 percent of the funds go to repairing the nation's deteriorating infrastructure - which was one of the original goals of the stimulus bill that President Obama sought to "put people to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges."
Instead, as a sampling: There's $75 million to help people stop smoking, $2.25 billion for national parks (whose chief lobbyist, as we have reported, is the son of House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wis.), $20 billion for quicker depreciation and write-offs for equipment, $15 billion for college scholarships, $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts, $335 million to treat and prevent sexually transmitted diseases, $600 million to buy a new fleet of cars for federal employees and government agencies, $650 million for coupons to help consumers convert TV sets from analog to digital, $400 million to research global warming, $2 billion to help subsidize child care, $1 billion for Amtrak, $4.19 billion for a Neighborhood Stabilization Program (much of which might go to ACORN, the discredited activist organization that the FBI is investigating for vote fraud), and on and on.
While tax credits specifically are denied to nonresident aliens, the legislation allows payment of checks to undocumented immigrants filing tax returns using an alternative number to the normal Social Security number. Some of the aforementioned projects may be commendable, but the package is hardly much of a stimulus change we can believe in. It's less stimulating than a kiss from your sister, or brother, as the case may be.
If they didn't lie, they'd apparently have no legitimate objections to this bill.
Why are there no honest conservatives to fairly argue against this bill?
The illegitmatimacy of all things liberal continues in our national "liberal" media. Color me surprised, or puce, depending upon your want.
Isn't it interesting how the "Liberal Media" seems perfectly willing to disseminate Republican talking points?
(sound of neocon brains exploding trying to process that statement)
And I thought somebody was making popcorn...
"Might go to ACORN..."
Green monkeys MIGHT fly out of my butt, too.
I noticed that too. (not the green monkies!). All of a sudden it's might, like they are starting to backpeddle so they can claim they never said it was for sure going to ACORN.
Amazing that so many average Americans can be convinced to hate and fear certain groups, and be convinced by the people they should really be scared of.
I saw a profound comment attached to a Huffington post article about PigMan Limbaugh this morning.
It said: "If you can identify yourself with those above you, then you can despise those who are below you. That's incredibly attractive to the weak and fearful"
How true.
I saw this comment on the Huffington Post and thought it was great:
Then there was this one:
Progressive Economics--a persistent, childlike belief of State Worshippers,
wherein filthy lucre can be purified only through a labyrinth, whored bur-
eaucracy promising compassion but yielding serfdom.
You know, "NOT" only are the Republicans stretching the money being spent from the Recovery & Reinvestment Bill as pure facts to anyone that would listen such as FoxNews, Rush Limbaugh, etc. but this so-called wasteful spending argument they are using is less than $50 Billion Total out of the $819 Billion listed in the Washington Times piece.
If you were to add up their examples of wasteful spending it only comes up to about $46 Billion out of the $819 Billion. So, for about $50 Billion - according to the Republicans in both the Senate & House - they will "NOT" support the other $769 Billion left in the Recovery & Reinvestment Act. Maybe someone should ask the Republicans about the bulk of the monies that they are "NOT" saying are wasteful like the $769 Billion for the Recovery & Reinvestment Bill, and what are their thoughts on it being used in our Country's Economy. I just think the Republicans squabbling over $50 Billion with the Democrats is a Republican masterful way of distracting from them "NOT" having a true plan to help our Country's economy, and they are just stalling while they work out their details.
Hmmm, I guess another year added to the last 8 years may help them see that their idealology for America's economy ...'DOES NOT WORK' - 'Smile'.
Doubtful, they can obstruct, complain and then blame it on Obama. A minimum of effort and assuming anyone believes what the media says, take back a number of congressional seats. Depends on their message penetration to the public as much as anything. That's a call that is uncertain, dispite the continued hemoraging of their veiwing audience numbers.
Apparently the Republicans are embracing "symbolism over substance"... a practice Rush Limbaugh likes to attribute to Democrats.
They'd rather score points with their knuckledragging base than do what's right for the country.
There's lots more than just 50 billion in PORK and non job creating waste. Just shout "SSSSuueeeeiiiiieeee".
I've already pointed out several undisputable (other than for my spelling, grammer and such) examples not even mentioned in the media, on other threaad posts.
My recent undisputed case made is on page 214 line 9 thru page 215 line 4, which doesn't help job creation. My point being based on 3 outs fro foriegn steel to be used and foriegn contruction materials instead of USA made.
I'm too busy with work to do all the research for you people, to show you ALL the flaws and PORK in this bill.
I don't agree with the $50 billion dollar figure either I read this from Josh Marshall :
Adding It Up
As I mentioned over the weekend, I've seen a lot of Republicans on TV complaining that spending programs that demonstrably do create jobs do not create jobs, like buying new and more energy efficient vehicles for government workforces, etc. But where I've really seen the press dropping the ball is doing some simple arithmetic on the spending items Republicans say constitute the wasteful spending in the bill.
Now, the tell in my eyes is that almost all the criticisms I've heard are about budget items in the millions. And when you're talking about a bill with over $800 billion in spending, you just have a hard time getting to any substantial percentage of the total spend with such relatively small items.
Now, here's a representative list from Rep. LoBiondo (R) of New Jersey ...
Set aside whether you think these line items are worthwhile. (And it seems obvious to me that it's good for the economy to buy more vehicles for the government fleet, when our auto industry is cratering and demand for cars is flatlining.) But just add those up and you get a total -- $3.51 5.01 Billion -- out of $819 Billion.
The pretty simple fact here is that the Republicans are not willing or able to criticize any of the substantial amounts of spending in this bill. They're focused on a few tiny parts of it. And too few people are pointing out that these amount to maybe one or two percent of the program total.
--Josh Marshall You see the total he has is 5.01 billion dollars out of 818 billion. What is your math?
So far I've commented on about 75 billion that don't provide real long lasting jobs, that supporters, of the bill, on this site could only dispute my spelling and/or grammer, but NOT the actual facts I presented.
Check out my next post on this thread.
Appalled by the pervasive hate in MSM? This site is tailor-made for you. http://hateonme.com/
It looks to me like MMFA is again playing loose with the facts about what exactly is an undocumented worker.
The following is from Fox News, Tues., Jan. 29th.
Under the plan passed by the House, illegal immigrants who qualify as "resident aliens" and earned a minimum of $3,000 would be eligible for rebates of between $300-$600, FOX News has learned.
Only those illegals who have been assigned an Individual Tax Identification Number that allows them to file income taxes would be eligible. Resident aliens are defined as people who spend a "substantial" amount of time in the U.S. and have not been deported.
The provision has irked illegal immigration opponents, who say the assigning of TINs and collection of taxes from illegals sanctions their presence in the country.
Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., told FOX News that the bill will certainly stimulate "more illegal immigration."
The following is from Fox News, Tues., Jan. 29th.
That's your first mistake, assuming something Fox claims was discovered is actually based in fact. But tell you what - if you can present the actual legislation showing that illegals who earn $3000 or more can get a legal tax ID number, I wll loudly proclaim you were right and I was wrong. It has to be the actual legislation though, not another Tancredo opinion. Here's your chance to shine, AA!
I guess FOX "News" didn't get the memo:
"A senior GOP congressional official expressed concern Thursday that the bill could steer government checks to undocumented workers, but in fact the measure prevents anyone without a Social Security number from claiming tax credits of $500 per worker and $1,000 per couple. It also expressly disqualifies nonresident aliens."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6237001.html
Sure, Nerz, but FOX NEWS says.... **snarf**. Incredible that anybody who visits this site regularly, seeing Fox exposed as a dishonest and unreliable propaganda outlet, would still go to them as a source. The very definition of insanity.
AA is like Wile E. Coyote, and his sources are the Acme company. Fascinating and hilarious.
I'm willing to go halves on an approprietly sized Acme Safe Col.
Here I go again: SSSSOOOOIIIIEEEEEEEeeeeeee
May I direct your attention, again, to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This time to page 101 line 23 thru page 102 line 20. I will not waste my time quoting it as I make my point. You should also be outraged as I am, as I am making your point as well, regarding organized labor and wages for all Americans, including those not so educated.
You people claim that we conservatives are not compassionate about the working class, Union or not. Well take a real good look at this; 2.4 billion, to demonstrate carbon capture and sequestration technologies, and another 2 billion for “Science” for the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA).
Before you jump at my comment below, I know science and research are important for distant future jobs. But, a lot of people need good jobs NOW not 5-10yrs down the road.
If this bill is ssssooooo good, where does the average American find a job demonstrating carbon capture??? A qualified handful at most. Better get your application in before the jobs are gone. How many of you have applied for a job at the ARPA???? You probably haven’t heard of this agency or even know what they do. They’ll probably have to appropriate some of the steel referenced in this bill, to bar the doors, to keep the flood of job seekers out. Or, maybe you’re just interested in the many hand outs this bill provides and not a job creation for the people???
Let me know when you want me to stop.
If the Recovery & Reinvestment Act (Bill) is a "TOTAL" of $819 Billion where 60% to 70% is to be distributed in various ways to government agencies, states, counties, cities, etc. and 30% to 40% goes to companies for tax cuts - I have no problem with it. Why? Because well over "HALF" is going to stimulate (create jobs) our Country as a whole beginning immediately.
Now, this so-called rush to "stop" the Recovery & Reinvestment Act (Bill) from the Republicans is nothing more than a "distraction" because once the Bill passes the Senate and comes back to the House over 10% of the House Republicans will vote "yes" to pass it. Why? Something is better than nothing, and the Republicans smoke screen of saying "No" last week will ease into a "yes" because they don't have anymore political strings to pull before the final vote. (Wink, wink)
House and Senate Republicans are only playing the political game of chicken, but in the end they will chicken out, (hoping that the American people forget their non-senseacle arguments all over less than 15% of the entire Bill which is just plain crazy), and some of them will vote yes. The revisions by the Senate to the Bill will be more in line with the percentages above - just wait and see.
P.S. Alot of Republican Governors are in "SUPPORT" of the Recovery & Reinvestment Act (Bill) too - 'Smile'.
You can go on all you like I'am sure without debating you on what is pork or not that the majority of the bill is intended to jump start an economy that because of the size of the crisis Obama was left with is intyended to jump start the economy. You replied to me to look at your post saying you already pointed out 70 billion in pork?? Well I'am looking 2.4 + 2=4.4. Please show me your math if I'am wrong.
I have other posts scattered out thru the different threads that break down diferent sections of the bill. I don;t know if they all made it, as I am still in the censorship trial period.
Well could you itemize them here? Excuse me if I don't take your word but all you have shown so far is 4.4 billion out of and 880 billion dollar plan. It sounds like your exaggerating to make a point! Just saying!?!? But i do understand the frustration of the waiting period.
It's simple.
All the Liberals had a stimulus bill E I E I O. With in this this bill they had lots of pork E I E I O. 5 billion here, 10 billion there, here a few billion, there a few billion. Um , hold on a minute I gotta go slop the trough.
As I have stated to other posters, I am tired of doing the research. This bill is 680+ pages plus. As for education, this bill as it was from the House side should be required reading and study.
I conceed that there is some good stuff, But a lot of it just doesn't provide the nessessary jobs to get the American people working again. I haven't even gone over the additions yet.
You realy want to stimulate the economy. Instead of blatent handouts, how about:
1) All States go sales tax free for one yr.
2) Let those facing forclosure refinance (no questions asked) the balance of the original loan for a low fixed rate and roll late/missed payments back into the loan. (Property values will go back up.)
3) Zero capital gains tax on first 500,000, 5% for the next 500,000 and 10% on the rest for the next 2 yrs, For investment made during this period of time.
4) Fed and Stste Tax free Unemployment for 2yrs.
5) Lower the corporate tax to 25%
6) Lower interest that can be charged for purchases on credit cards to a reasonable rate, so balances can be paid down. (21% + is loan shark territory.)
7) Tax credit program for home; weatherization, insulation, Low e windows, energy star appiances and high efficientcy heating/cooling upgrades.
I don't mean to sound angry, but as far as what I have seen on other thread posts is just blatent number throwing and complaining about "showing proof". I am the only one that I know of that has been posting comnets about this bill using the bill link, as well as exact page and line numbers. As you can see in my post above, I asked questions. I have asked questions at the end of all of my research Proof posts. And have not had one supporter of the original bill answer just one. All you have to do is read it to find the pork. Even after suppling the bill link, page numbers and line numbers, I am still asked if I realy read the bill. If I supplied this info, which by using the info I provided can be looked up with a few clicks and some scrolling, I obviously have read and studied this bill.
Sorry, but I am just tired of doing this much research, over and over, on my own for those that don't want to do it themselves and/or choose to justy rubber stamp it, as I have a company to run and employees to keep employed, unless you would prefer that I add them to the unemployment rolls so I can appease you with my research info.