John Lewis: 4-year-olds are getting federal tax credits for buying homes
It’s more than passing strange that, in the U.S. Senate, Johnny Isakson of Georgia has been pushing an expanded tax credit for homebuyers while, in the House, U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta is examining abuse of the same.
The following paragraphs are from Lewis’ opening statements at a hearing held this morning by a House Ways and Means subcommittee, which the Georgia congressman chairs:
“The tax credit was created to stimulate the economy and home sales. It was estimated that at least 2.2 million households would claim about $18 billion of tax credits. To date, about 1.4 million households have claimed nearly $10 billion. The majority of these households—60 percent of them—have incomes below $50,000.
“To ensure the credit achieved its goals, the Internal Revenue Service developed a program to timely process returns, and issue refunds, for those claiming the credit. I salute this effort.
“I am mindful, however, that this quick response came at a cost. The Service processed over one million returns claiming the credit before new fraud filters were in place. The result, so far, is that more than 100,000 exams have been opened involving the credit.
“We will hear today that taxpayers claiming the credit include those: who already owned a home, who had not yet bought a home, and who are children—some as young as four years old. There are possibly hundreds of millions of dollars that have been paid to taxpayers who are not entitled to the credit. We want to, and we need to, stop this fraud and abuse.”
Lewis has introduced this anti-fraud legislation, which his office said would:
– Require a minimum age of 18 to claim the credit;
–Require that taxpayers attach a copy of documentation to prove that they purchased a home;
–Provide the IRS with authority to look at prior year returns and determine if a taxpayer is eligible for the credit;
–And improve tax administration by increasing the number of electronic returns filed by return preparers.
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
131 comments Add your comment
Honestly
October 22nd, 2009
10:52 am
” . . . . who are not entitled to the credit.”
I direct the Congressman’s attention to the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is a check–from the government–paid to those who pay no income taxes whatsoever. You want to look at fraud, waste, and abuse, Sir, begin with the EITC.
ONE-TWENTY TWO » links for 2009-10-22
October 22nd, 2009
11:08 am
[...] John Lewis: 4-year-olds are getting tax credits for buying homes | Political Insider It’s more than passing strange that, in the U.S. Senate, Johnny Isakson of Georgia has been pushing an expanded tax credit for homebuyers while, in the House, U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta is examining abuse of the same. (tags: housing fraud tax_policy) [...]
AH
October 22nd, 2009
11:10 am
Seriously who are you and what have you done with John Lewis. John has never cared if about fraud before a day in his life.
merculf
October 22nd, 2009
11:10 am
Just goes to show you that you can’t trust anyone and these people are only out to help themselves. What a shame people.
call em out
October 22nd, 2009
11:13 am
so just because there are issues elsewhere we shouldnt address the ones we are aware of.
that is the mentality of the liberals.
People being dishonest is what is causing problems for the rest of us.
What I would like to see though is for these people to have to pay the credit back.
Those of us who got the tax break last year have to pay ours back. But the ones under Obama dont.
This is one of many reasons why our deficit continues to climb under this administration.
the deficit in 9 months under Obama is higher than all the presidents put together since the beginning of our country. WOW!! Dont listen to his words. Watch what he does!
cookie19
October 22nd, 2009
11:13 am
Where there is money involved, there will be fraud. When these bills are drafted do they think about the “what if”s ? That would solve a lot of problems. Why odes congress get a recess anyway? There is a constant need for a new law or revision of a current law.
mscutie78
October 22nd, 2009
11:14 am
Here someone is trying to bring an issue to light and you want to smash him for it! Wow…
cookie19
October 22nd, 2009
11:19 am
How about a tax credit for us who pay our taxes but barely make enough to pay bills and buy groceries? How about taking back the bonuses those “bailed out” executives recieved and give them to us taxpayers?
Chuck
October 22nd, 2009
11:20 am
John Lewis concerned about fraud in the system? Now I know we are living in a reverse world. Quick, somebody tell him that some of those supposed frauds involve black people, and he will quietly go away. Mr. Lewis, if you have spare time on your hands, drop this small potatoes issue and go after the billions in fraud in the medicare, welfare, and income tax systems. Oh, wait…..some of those also involve black people, so…..never mind.
cookie19
October 22nd, 2009
11:21 am
First comment, fourth sentence should read ” Why does Congrees get a recess anyway? ”
getting upset, typing too fast
Dan Dawg
October 22nd, 2009
11:22 am
OK conservatives, this is your chance to look balanced and fair and give John Lewis props on this one. Otherwise, you confirm that you are a mindless partisan hack.
cmsfk
October 22nd, 2009
11:22 am
Wow! There are billions of dollars of tax credit out there and there is fraud involved!? What a newsflash. The same 4-year-old who bought the house could have predicted this information.
This better amount to some big time, widespread fraud or else this grandstanding is a waste of time and more taxpayer $. Sounds like the IRS now has a fraud filter in place that has, um, ID’d fraud. Last thing we need is Congress jumping in the mix to muck it up even more …
HOW ABOUT ME
October 22nd, 2009
11:27 am
I never received a $8000 Federal Tax break for buying my first how…how about me? Where is mine? Oh, I must work for a living…thanks Mr. Lewis etal….
Honey
October 22nd, 2009
11:28 am
Sounds like Honestly is miffed about paying his(her) taxes.The EITC does not come out of their pockets just because they are required to pay taxes. God I love my job at the IRS.
Patrick
October 22nd, 2009
11:28 am
Motto for all of those who vote in 2010 and 2012, “If you’re in you’re out”. Stop sending these folks back to Washington to be your voice when it’s your voice they don’t hear any more.
Are you serious John Lewis
October 22nd, 2009
11:30 am
There’s always going to be some type of fraud.to be some type of fraud. We need to try to minize fraud and keep the program going for a well. There’s a lot of inventory out there.
Just an opinion.
Good week all.
VolMan
October 22nd, 2009
11:31 am
He also needs to look at the $1000 per child tax credit. I’ve seen it first hand how many of his constituents let others use their child’s SSN when they are not able to take advantage of it.
Patty
October 22nd, 2009
11:34 am
Cookie- Receive is spelled wrong. I before e except after c. Worry about other things!
DAVID
October 22nd, 2009
11:37 am
NO Kidddddddddddddddddddding.
DAVID
October 22nd, 2009
11:39 am
THERE IS FRAUD IN EVERY FEDERAL Give-away……….Lordy…lordy…lordy
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
11:39 am
Sure would be nice if these programs could be extended to everyone and not just first time home buyers. Yet another example of programs developed for the benefit of one group of people. Screw everyone who did the right thing the first time. Cash for clunker, lets give a break to those who bought gas guzzlers and screw anyone who did the right thing the first time. It really pays to do the wrong thing in America!
Kim
October 22nd, 2009
11:43 am
Chuck and people who think like Chuck, why do you think it involves black people? There are more white people in this country that are on welfare than there are black people. White people commit fraud just like black people. If we all do what’s right, we won’t have to worry about the race of the person, because we will all pay for it regardless. You are one foolish person. This article is only reminding us that where there is a will there is a way and someone is going to find how to steal no matter what.
Union City
October 22nd, 2009
11:44 am
I have heard that an old neighbor is renting and bought a truck with her tax credit. She has NOT and does not plan to buy a house. That’s fraud…..
AllAgesCanOwnHomes
October 22nd, 2009
11:45 am
I am unaware of any law that prevents a 4 year old from purchasing and owning a home. As such, a four year old should be perfectly eligible if he / she is a first time home buyer.
inou
October 22nd, 2009
11:46 am
Nothing the Government has ever done has been successful except for the military, and Obama is doing his darndest to destroy that. There is not enough money to keep on supporting everybody whose jobs are being lost due to Obama’s failed policies ( another half million lost last week,and yes, of course Bush’s ineptness too) while we continue to tank. Obama will forever blame Bush for all the evils under the sun as long as people keep buying it, but his bold promises as he campaigned are making him look like a first class wimp now. Anyone could fill his shoes if all they had to do was say, “duh, Bush started it”. Whoever isn’t paying attention needs to. This is sacrificing opportunities for your life, your kids lives, and our country. Don’t blow a good thing. Do not support this phony. His only agenda is his own power.
KJ
October 22nd, 2009
11:47 am
Cookie19: you’re correct but you should have stated more specifically – where there is a government run program involving money, there will be fraud. I hope everyone can add up the facts. Anytime you have a government run program ie; medicaid, medicare, social security, disability, unemployment, the IRS, etc, there is rampant fraud. The various departments, whose job is to oversee the funding, for the majority, could care less if someone is ripping off the government since it doesn’t directly affect their paycheck. So taxpayers pay more and more to criminals (which is exactly what you are if you are claiming benefits you’ve received fraudulently) and our country’s deficit get bigger and bigger. Just try to name one government program where money is involved that hasn’t seen massive fraud. Can’t do it can you? That’s exactly what the whole government run healthcare program they are pushing will be too. Another massively expensive money pit that does more harm than good. Our country is quickly going down the toilet. Our only chance of survival is to return to our founding roots of pure capitalism and then institute the FairTax. Our government needs a massive downsizing and the lazy drains on society need to get off their butts and quit expecting a hand out. We don’t owe you anything and unless you are elderly and disabled too severely to work go get a job. Our government needs to be more concerned with getting companies to return to our country to create jobs not how they can squeeze more money out of the few who are left.
atlsenga
October 22nd, 2009
11:47 am
Did these tax cheats who bought homes use ACORN for their home buying assistance? Just wondering.
inou
October 22nd, 2009
11:47 am
AllAgesCanOwnHomes: A four year old is not competent to own a home.
john j
October 22nd, 2009
11:49 am
100,000 files have been opened for investigation, this amounts to about 7% of all applicants. What percentage of this 7% will be found to be OK and what percentage will be found to be fraudulent. If it is up to half of the 100,000 it means 3.5% of the total is fraudulent. Just a guess on my part but a govt program with less than 3,5% fraud would probably be held up as an example of just how efficient the govt is.
(My first home had a 13.5% interest rate and Jimmy Carter could have cared less)
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
11:50 am
Inou, learn how to use “competent” in a sentence.
Reality
October 22nd, 2009
11:51 am
Inou, are you saying that it’s the government’s fault that people commit fraud?
Cicely
October 22nd, 2009
11:54 am
Actually sir you are incorrect. Earned Income Tax Credit, is as it suggests a program only available for those who have “earnings”. The credit increases the more your EARN. It is a refundable credit. It is not a credit given to people who do not pay taxes. Tax liabilities are determined based on a persons AGI. The EITC reduces a persons tax liability. If they have none then they are entitled to receive full credit or any portion after meeting their tax liability in a refund. EITC is more effective in lifiting people out of poverty than all other federal social programs combined. Please check your facts before you make blanket statements.
Brian
October 22nd, 2009
11:54 am
Actually, I am very thankful for the tax credit…it allowed me the chance to buy my first home. I appreciate that I do not have to pay it back, and I am truly sorry for those who do under the old administration…I applaud Lewis for bringing this issue to the forefront, however, it may be a day late and dollar short (no pun intended) because the fraud filtering should have been in place immediately…shame on the government for allowing yet another way for things to fall through the cracks. As far as bringing race into this issue…again, foolish comments only make the one commenting look more like a fool.
C.M. Thornton, III
October 22nd, 2009
11:55 am
AllAgesCanOwnHomes: A person under 18 cannot enter into a legal binding contract in Georgia, ergo, a four year old cant buy a home. However, a trust can be set up for a four year old which will transfer ownership of the home to the child when it turns 18…
As for Lewis, this has got to be a joke. Lewis himself is a joke. If he is really concerned about fraud, how about rampant welfare and voter fraud among his constituents? Oh wait, their black, so its OK….
Char
October 22nd, 2009
11:55 am
Now that loopholes have been found, close the loop holes. Severely punish the insensitive criminals. Don’t punish good law abiding taxpayers because Congress and IRS did not have checks and balances in place to prevent or detect these criminal acts. Make an example of the perpertrators. But, don’t stop with the first time homebuyers’ credit. Go after the other tax cheats as well, especially those who are hiding money in foreign countries and are abusing the Earned Income Credit. The middle class unfairly is carrying the burden while the rich and the poor are getting most of the benefits.
Corey
October 22nd, 2009
11:57 am
Last fall this nation and the world came very close to financial ruin facilitated by crafty financiers on Wall St., and some of you are more concerned about blasting a congressman who points out fraud. Is there something in the water that makes southerners so d3@# stupid?
techiegirl518
October 22nd, 2009
11:57 am
I can’t believe some of you are wondering if a 4-year-old could actually buy a house. You have to be 18 to enter into a legal contract.
The Stuff
October 22nd, 2009
11:58 am
Actually, a four year old can not own a home because ID is required to be witnessed signing the documentation. As it stands, if you are under 18 and your parents die, you can not legally possess their estate until you reach 18. A guardian must be appointed to maintain the estate until you are eligible. Thus, a guardian would represent a “4 year old” and cold not pass title to the home to that child until they were 18, thus eliminating the tax credit.
If law makers just put an extra day into writing the stipulations for these giveaways, a lot of this fraud would be more difficult to get away with thus reducing it. Why not include something like “Tax credit will be assessed upon verification by local government tax agencies and upon completion of years federal tax return”. Oh that’s right, its prejudice against those who can’t read or write.
KC
October 22nd, 2009
11:59 am
If they had required people to include copies of their purchase and sales agreement along with the form, it would have helped eliminate a lot of the fraud going on with this credit. All you had to do was complete a 1 page form and didn’t even have to list the purchase price of the home you bought, just how much of the credit you felt you were entitled to. Of course you were supposed to calculate the amount as 10% of purchase price of the home, but how many people do you think just put $8,000 on the form?
Also, I agree with someone else above who said it should have had to be repaid. 15 years to pay back $8,000 interest free is a great, great deal, and the government would have eventually gotten all their money back….
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:00 pm
Corey, the problem is Mr Lewis only points out some fraud. He ignores the fraud which involves his constituents.
fraudulentamerica
October 22nd, 2009
12:03 pm
This is the sad state of our country…in the worst of financial times, the same fraudulent spirit that got us into this mess is at it again. These people should pay back 7 times what they stole from “we the people” who pay the taxes. I have already paid over more in tax this year(the most ever as taxes go higher) so that these frauds can steal it back from me…and the feds want me to keep highering and providing jobs…they can’t even manage to keep more frauds from stealing more taxpayer dollars.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:03 pm
And if you don’t like the south, what makes you want to live here? Oh because the North has been run into the ground by liberal policies and there are no jobs there. Got it.
Look before I leap
October 22nd, 2009
12:04 pm
Actually ALLAges, if the purchase of a home involves a contract, then there are laws which would indeed prevent a 4 year old from legally buying a home. In all 50 states, no one under the age of 18 can enter into a legally binding contract. Did you double up on your moron pills this morning?
Crunk D
October 22nd, 2009
12:04 pm
How about we end all these stupid tax credits and government handouts? I’m tired of subsidizing idiots who can’t handle their money.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:05 pm
Well said Crunk D. Lets level the playing field.
RSC
October 22nd, 2009
12:06 pm
ACORN ACORN ACORN: the mantra of the simple-minded.
Fletch
October 22nd, 2009
12:07 pm
It is really sad that I used to care about this country and my community and now it is everyone for him/herself. If everyone else is sucking up government money, I don’t want to be left standing when the music stops.
I paid my mortgage and bills through the tough times and there is absolutely nothing for me. If I was irresponsible and didn’t dip into savings to pay my bills, I would be in better shape.
Cicely
October 22nd, 2009
12:07 pm
In order for the 4-year old to receive the credit they would have to file a tax return and be the primary SSN listed on the return. If you are listed as a dependent of someone else you are not eligible for credits on a tax return.
butch
October 22nd, 2009
12:09 pm
C M Thorton III, learn the usage of “their” vs. “they’re” and try again.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:10 pm
Government programs are a redistribution of wealth. I realize they are a necessary evil, but how far are we going to go? I don’t think owning a home is a right. How much more will the people who pay taxes put up with? Is everyone blind to the fact that this tax break given to a certain group will be made up for by taxing the rest of us more. The money will have to come from somewhere…
j
October 22nd, 2009
12:11 pm
Republicans love welfare if it goes directly to developers and campagin donors. That’s how bush borrowed and embezzled 5 trillion in 8 years. Republicans are a disaster for america.
Fletch
October 22nd, 2009
12:11 pm
RSC – BUSH BUS BUSH is the mantra of the truly simple minded. ACORN was the tip of the iceberg of voter fraud, tax fraud and generations of people who swindle the system. I love how the skeptical are attacked in the face of egregious misconduct.
ugaaccountant
October 22nd, 2009
12:13 pm
Char
October 22nd, 2009
11:55 am
Now that loopholes have been found, close the loop holes. Severely punish the insensitive criminals. Don’t punish good law abiding taxpayers because Congress and IRS did not have checks and balances in place to prevent or detect these criminal acts. Make an example of the perpertrators. But, don’t stop with the first time homebuyers’ credit. Go after the other tax cheats as well, especially those who are hiding money in foreign countries and are abusing the Earned Income Credit. The middle class unfairly is carrying the burden while the rich and the poor are getting most of the benefits.
I agree with this poster, and shockingly with Mr. Lewis. Any time a person defrauds the government is a good time to investigate and recoup the money. This to me is a jailable offense if it is clear cut fraud, not mistakes. It took a large amount of money from the government, will take significant money to investigate, and could easily have been done on purpose. To me, that requires a debt to society. Thank you Mr. Lewis for shining some attention here.
Mr. Isakson is also correct. Run correctly, as was the case in 93% of them apparently, this has been a good program. It’s like cash for clunkers except it isn’t rewarding bad behaviour and is instead rewarding responsible behaviour.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:16 pm
At least developers provide something for society. What to other welfare recipients provide? Babies? Meth labs?
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:19 pm
It does suck to be in the middle class.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:20 pm
Just like it sucks to be middle aged, in middle America, and in the middle of the Democrat and Republican ideologies.
Hhmmm
October 22nd, 2009
12:26 pm
Hey “Kim”, get your facts straight before youe speak . . . on a percentage basis African Americans, BY FAR, receive more government benefits/assistance, i.e., welfare, food stamps, housing, subsidies, etc., than whites!
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:30 pm
Who cares what color the people are that get the benifits.
QUICKLY
October 22nd, 2009
12:30 pm
People are so quickly to throw race into any issue. John Lewis is ONE person. Can we speak to everyone… Can you say anything to Senator Isaakson; what about any official person? Can we get the GOVERNOR to help anywhere other than his own personal investments. Guess theres no wrong in that !!! Our state still has its problems but we will never overcome racism. Let’s focus on how can we get the people that want to work to work. the people that would like a house a home. We make things so difficult for no reason…
Luv 2 Hate Me
October 22nd, 2009
12:31 pm
Man some of you folks on the blog can turn anything into a black/white issue. If the topic was about peanut butter somehow it would get turned into a racial issue. When will the ignorance stop!
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:33 pm
I agree. Leave race out of it, but why is the government helping people get into homes in the first place? Since when is that the function of government? Why do I have to pay to help someone else get in a home? Re-distribution of wealth.
Hhmmm
October 22nd, 2009
12:34 pm
Hey “Brian”, why the he!! should I help finance your home purchase? Work a little harder, earn your money, save it and put 20% down like responsible people and don’t relay on taxpayers to subsidize YOUR home purchase! By the way, you’re welcome, because I paid some of your tax credit dollars . . .
Kim
October 22nd, 2009
12:36 pm
That may be so Hhmmmmm, but there are fewer blacks than whites in America and more of them are on welfare than blacks. Also, no one knows the race of the people who have committed this fraud, so we can’t speak on race. You get your facts straight. I’ve seen white men and women together stand in front of me buying groceries with their food stamp card.
Buck Ofama
October 22nd, 2009
12:36 pm
Wow, John Lewis cares about a 4-year-old stealing from the government??? For him to care, the kid must be white!!!
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:38 pm
Dang kids stealing our money. This younger generation needs a spanking.
Tea 4 2
October 22nd, 2009
12:40 pm
This program is a waste of taxpayer money, Johnny the Socialist’s new program will be a waste of $18,700,000,000.00.. that’s money we are going to borrow from the Arabs & China. Who will pay it back? Georgia needs 2 Conservative Senators not the 2 Big Spenders we are stuck with.
Wil Walton
October 22nd, 2009
12:40 pm
ugaaccountant, please explain what responsible behavior you were refering to in your last sentence. thanks.
Kim
October 22nd, 2009
12:42 pm
Hhmmm how do you know what kind of money people have? How do you know Brian didn’t pay some of your tax credit dollars? Do you think you are the only person that work and pay taxes on anything? You are stupid! I don’t like people like you because you think you are the only person that holds a job around here. You are crazy nut.
Waiting
October 22nd, 2009
12:43 pm
However,for those of us who legally qualify for the First Time Home Buyer Credit, the fraud has caused a “cog in the wheel” of timely processing of the credit. Originally, ammended returns were supposed to be processed in 4 to 6 weeks. I am on week 14 and still waiting. Last call to the IRS? Maybe in November. Part of my reason for purchasing a home and moving out of an apartment, was the credit itself.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:45 pm
Kim, Brian said he got the tax credit. That is how Hmm knows. By the way, I guess you are ok with subsidizing other peoples home purchases. I wish I could opt out.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:47 pm
Waiting, I will put in a complaint for you. They should be sending our money to you much faster than that. How unfair.
TED KENNEDY
October 22nd, 2009
12:47 pm
Simplest way to stop it is to end it.
Wil Walton
October 22nd, 2009
12:49 pm
Dave, very funny comments. Not worth spending too much time dwelling/complaining over. Will be taking action for change instead.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:51 pm
Sometimes I just think maybe the humor will change minds. Works for Jon Stewart.
Wil Walton
October 22nd, 2009
12:52 pm
Hey, maybe Lewis and Isakson should join Hatch and focus on fixing college football instead…
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
12:53 pm
The Hatch Attack?
Fairtax
October 22nd, 2009
12:59 pm
I believe John Lewis voted for this bill… He can claim part of the fault for ramming it through so quickly before loopholes or concerns could be addressed.
BA
October 22nd, 2009
1:08 pm
TO CHUCK
Why do you keep bringing up Black people and welfare medicaid fraud. Do you realize the there are more white people on welfare. Also, are you suggesting that it is WHITE people who are getting these 8000 tax credits and that is why Mr. Lewis is so concerned? I think some of you protest too much.
General Sherman
October 22nd, 2009
1:11 pm
I am going to torch Atlanta again.My first time failed and created a monster!
BA
October 22nd, 2009
1:11 pm
to all ages
I believe in order to purchase a home, you have to sign a contract. To sign a contract you need to be 18.
saddened
October 22nd, 2009
1:20 pm
Id love to know HOW and WHY race got brought into this debate! this is not an issue of race at all and those who think it is are ignorant and feeble minded.
fraud will always be an issue when humans are involved. its an issue of CHARACTER. and as far as thats concerned, the government is FULL of fraudulent people who take advantage of US. where are all the complainers then? oh yeah, sitting around complaining!
if the government doesnt step in and do SOMETHING, and the housing market fails, it starts a dominoe effect. same as with other large institutions that support smallers institutions.
its a necessary evil. live with it
and try loving your neighbor
BA
October 22nd, 2009
1:20 pm
I really realized how ignorant and racist people in this country are when I read these blogs. Racists can turn anything into a black thing. Do you really think we got into this mortgage mess because of black people. Do you think the banks were underwriting loans to black people without verifying their income? Do you think banks were underwriting loans to black people who couldnt afford the homes (making 30,000 buying 500,000 homes) Hardly. They were stirring credit worthy black people to higher interest rate loans when they clearly qualified for the lower rates.
Furthermore, the last time I checked, the people who have been in the news for any kind of fraud have been, WHITE.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
1:23 pm
Why is the fact that race was brought up keep getting brought up?
Isakson should join with John Lewis | Cynthia Tucker
October 22nd, 2009
1:24 pm
[...] colleague Jim Galloway has called attention to the hearing conducted this morning by Atlanta Congressman John Lewis, a Democrat, who focused on fraud in the program designed to [...]
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
1:25 pm
Hey BA, you just turned it into a racist thing towards white people. Will the circle be unbroken?
Patricia
October 22nd, 2009
1:26 pm
It is amazing that no matter what an issue is, some jerk always makes it a racial issue. Can we ever get passed this? I am so tired of everything being white people or it is black people. Of course this nation is going to fail, because a house divided will fall!
BA
October 22nd, 2009
1:26 pm
Because people like you Dave can only see in black and white. I bet you would have been the first one in line to get you FEMA (Gov’t ) check if your house had been damaged in the floods 3 weeks ago.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
1:27 pm
You obviously have not read my comments.
statistically speaking
October 22nd, 2009
1:27 pm
medicaid recipients: 44% white, 40% black,16% other
Myth: People on welfare are usually black, teenage mothers who stay on ten years at a time.
Fact: Most welfare recipients are non-black, adult and on welfare less than two years at a time.
Race
————–
White 38.8%
Black 37.2
Hispanic 17.8
Asian 2.8
Other 3.4
LOOK IT UP
CPA
October 22nd, 2009
1:27 pm
KJ 11:47 AM
Every time there is a program run by private interprise there is fraud as well. As a CPA who has only worked in private industry for his whole career, I will tell you that every year my employer requries me to undergo anti-fraud training. Fraud exists everywhere. It is idiotic to pretend that only government is tainted by fraud. It is equally idiotic to believe that if the private sector performs a service, then fraud is less likely to happen than if government were to perform the same service.
Please try to name one sector of private industry that hasn’t seen massive fraud. Banks? Insurance? Military contractors? Retail?
There is always someone who will try to game the system, and they’re at work both in government AND in the private sector.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
1:28 pm
My house was damaged. I have insurance.
John
October 22nd, 2009
1:35 pm
We still blame illegals for this federal tax fraud,…………….also for unemployment, gas prices, Circuit City bankruptcy, home invasions, situation in Afghanistan, CRC/SAT test scores, engineering deficit, car dealers slow sales and climate change.
Dave
October 22nd, 2009
1:38 pm
John, don’t forget about menudo. That was their fault too.
Rod
October 22nd, 2009
1:41 pm
Chuck who has been reported to the ajc already is racist period. Why is race brought into the conversion or the under tones of race by Hhmmm who can’t read because Kim didn’t say anything about on a percentage basis. Yes on a percentage basis there are more blacks on welfare and more white collar white crooks(as seen on cnbc)Oh and btw the money we spent to bailout these crooks is already legendary and more than any welfare programs which include social security and corporate welfare(tax breaks for corporations to ship jobs overseas-crazy). This has nothing to do with the article though!
Wil Walton
October 22nd, 2009
1:44 pm
John, actually it was caused by the LEGAL aliens!!!
Laugh or Cry? 4-Year Old Buys A House | Square Feet Commercial Real Estate Blog
October 22nd, 2009
1:45 pm
[...] [via Political Insider] [...]
Chris
October 22nd, 2009
1:56 pm
I have to get out of this god-forsaken state, it’s full of uneducated fools.
Reggie
October 22nd, 2009
2:11 pm
AH and Chuck, you are showing your bias. It doesn’t matter if you are black or white, if you are committing fraud you should be prosecuted. John Lewis has always and will continue to be fair and an honest man. Just because he is an outspoken democrat from Atlanta and black, that doesn’t mean he will not write laws that will not prosecute blacks as well as white or any other race that maybe involved in these kinds of crimes. Stop the bashing for once people. I support Johnny Isakson efforts to extend the law and John Lewis effort to stop the fraud. Both of these individuals are doing something great that will work together for the good of all tax paying Americans who want to benefit from this program and will stop those who are profiting illegally.
cletus T Rockafella
October 22nd, 2009
2:14 pm
Wow, lewis screams fraud. John Lewis is a fraud, he only represents BLACK PEOPLE. For that
matter, congress, senate and the presidency is a fraud. Government is a fraud. Lewis is another
idiot who only attempts to placate his voting block – the poor & uneducated, which is why he’s voted
in term after term.
Bea
October 22nd, 2009
2:21 pm
You don’t need a contract to buy a home. Ever hear of “cash money?” Four year old has the cash, four year old can buy the house. NO C0NTRACT REQUIRED.