I.R.S. Finds Sharp Increase in Illegal Political Activity

The New York Times ^ | February 25, 2005 | Stephanie Strom

[Sarastro]

The I.R.S. said yesterday that it saw a sharp increase in prohibited political activity by charities and churches in the last election cycle, a trend that it aims to reverse as the country heads into the midterm elections.

The tax agency found problems at three-quarters of the 82 organizations it examined after having received complaints about their political activities, according to a report the Internal Revenue Service released. The infractions included distributing materials that encouraged people to vote for particular candidates and giving cash to campaigns.

The agency said it was seeking to revoke the exemptions of three organizations but did not name them, pending an appeals process. Charities are generally prohibited from campaigning for candidates, although they can take stands on issues.

[Sarastro]

We all know that illegal political activity by not-for-profits has been going on under the I.R.S.'s nose. Now they find 60 violaters (three-quarters of the 82) and they seek revocation of tax exemption for THREE!?

The 1st amendment provides for freedom of speech, but doesn't provide for taxpayer subsidies thereof, which is what is going on here. The I.R.S. should be much tougher than it appears to be.

[Coldwater Creek]

My guess is that 99@100% is coming from black churches.

Harold Ford Jr. and Obama just had a huge rally here in Memphis this week a a large black church sponsored by the black ministers of the city. I think that that event should be looked into.

[Bon mots]

Suddenly, the IRS is all interested in illegal political activity? What the heck woke them up?

Oh, I get it! It's those darned CHRISTIANS!!!

Hillaroo can be seen in the company of all kinds of shady, crooked people. Somehow, photos like this never appear in the New York Times, yet - there it is. Where the heck is the IRS on this case. LOOK! There's even photographic evidence!

Hillaroo with convicted felon, cocaine smuggler and big Democratic Party donor Jorge Cabrera.
He also donated big bucks to the Clintons.

Here we have a photo taken at an official DNC fundraiser with Bill and Hillary posed with Ng Lap Seng,
Macau Crime Lord who controls Prostitution in the Macau region. His Fortuna Hotel is actually a high class bordello
where young girls (often underage) are available for a price. Ng, through his American contact Charlie Trie,
donated close to a million dollars to the Democrats.

Then of course, is the question of her commodities trade and the quid-pro-quo donation by Tyson Chicken.

I don't believe that we will ever get the IRS interested in Hillaroo. She is far too slippery.

HELLO! IRS!!!

[skinkinthegrass]

Pinging....Rev(s). Jesse "I have a Scheme" Jackson, Al "Slap the JackAs / Washington Hgts" Sharpton....and Sen(s). Mrs. "Plantation Owner/Slave Maaaster" William Jefferson Blight Clintoon, Ted "Green Oldsmobile /RAdm./Swimmer" Kennedy...et al...the usual suspects BUMP

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

The problem is the tax code itself. The IRS only needs to look in the mirror.

[gitmo]

We all know that illegal political activity by not-for-profits has been going on under the I.R.S.'s nose. Now they find 60 violaters (three-quarters of the 82) and they seek revocation of tax exemption for THREE!?

The 1st amendment provides for freedom of speech, but doesn't provide for taxpayer subsidies thereof, which is what is going on here. The I.R.S. should be much tougher than it appears to be.

The non-profits aren't the problem. The problem is our confiscatory taxes and our spendthrift congress.

[BubbaTheRocketScientist]

ping

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

You're probably right but I bet they will NEVER be held accountable. The IRS will be going after a Bible-believing church that teaches that homosexuality and abortion are sins. Just wait.

[Coldwater Creek]

Oh! I totally agree. Makes my blood boil.

[Joe Boucher]

Why the heck don't we tax churches?

[I_be_tc]

Must be her "meeting foreign donors" dress.

[Bon mots]

Must be her "meeting foreign donors" dress.

Yeah, you caught that too! She was wearing the exact same getup for a couple of different events!

Maybe that's why she has taken to wearing a Communist Mao Suit lately:

The photo is NOT Photoshopped!
She really did wear that thing.

[inquest]

The 1st amendment provides for freedom of speech, but doesn't provide for taxpayer subsidies thereof, which is what is going on here.

What do you mean "subsidies"? If the money was earmarked for the expression of a particular view, then you could say the government was subsidizing expression of beliefs. Otherwise, it's no more subsidizing the churches' political expression than it's subsidizing their religious services.

[ancient_geezer]

The 1st amendment provides for freedom of speech, but doesn't provide for taxpayer subsidies thereof, which is what is going on here. The I.R.S. should be much tougher than it appears to be.

The only thing actually taxfree about a church at the federal level is your ability to deduct contributions to it, same as for a PAC or political organizations.

If a church were being subsidized for free speech, then so are PACs and other political organizations exercising the same free speech that is denied a Church.

The 1st amendment makes no distinctions where "Congress may make no law .." abridging the first amendment in free speech, religious activities, free press or peaceful assembly is concerned.

What are you going tax in a non-profit organization? Corporate income taxes are levied on profits. Churches are required to pay federal taxes where they have profits wherever they engage in business for profit.

Churches pay payroll taxes on employee wages, and those receiving salaries or wages from a church owe the same individual taxes on their income as everyone else.

[festus]

Reason # 412,653,656,127 to hate the IRS.

[Sarastro]

it's no more subsidizing the churches' political expression than it's subsidizing their religious services....

Right you are, but that battle was lost long ago.

[inquest]

If we're still at "war" with the statist enemy, then no battle loss is permanent. They only become permanent upon total surrender.

[Sarastro]

The only thing actually taxfree about a church at the federal level is your ability to deduct contributions to it, same as for a PAC or political organizations.

Puh-leez! Do a little fact checking before posting. You can't deduct contributions to a PAC or political organization.

[ancient_geezer]

In otherwords, there is a total violation of freedom of speech, in that political silence is rewarded.

A great rule for incumbents.

[Balding_Eagle]

The problem is the tax code itself. The IRS only needs to look in the mirror

Congress writes the tax code, not the IRS>