James Traficant: “it may be mid-May but I want to talk about the Grinch that stole Christmas, the IRS. In 1991, Charles Benjamin, a…”

“it may be mid-May but I want to talk about the Grinch that stole Christmas, the IRS. In 1991, Charles Benjamin, a laid-off plumber in Pennsylvania, took tax exemptions for his 10 children like he is allowed to. The IRS said, ``No way, Mr. Benjamin. No one in America these days can afford to have 10 kids. We don't believe it. Prove it.'' Mr. Benjamin sent in their proof, Social Security cards, birth certificates, notarized records from the school system and they said, ``That is not enough.'' They went to the bank and took $4,000 this man had, laid off, which was Christmas money and family money. Ladies and gentlemen, this is out of control, and Congress should be ashamed of themselves. When it was pressed, do you know what the IRS said? ``Mr. Benjamin, prove it, prove it. We do not believe you.'' Discharge petition No. 12 says whenever you go to court, Mr. Archer, for tax fraud or tax evasion, the burden of proof is on the Secretary. If it is good enough for the Son of Sam, it is good enough for Mr. Benjamin and his 10 kids. Think about it.”