I wasn’t aware that following the law was optional.
NOT “following the law” is very much an option if you are a Democrat. A great deal of latitude is permitted if you may be counted upon to not get in the way of the real agenda, which is to demolish the existing “social contract”, that is, to behave in such a manner as not to attract the attention of the authorities, observe the basic social graces, and pay your bills on time and in full, as required by contracts freely arrived at, which are observed in the fulfillment and not in the breach.
This attitude, that it is the default position to ALWAYS follow the law, has been under fire, and Republicans, by their very nature, are inclined to abide by the traditions and customs. Obeying the law was just part of it.
But now Republicans, being part of this “old” America, have to be subjected to a sometimes vicious and vituperative attacks, as being “out of touch” and Reactionary”, as if this were a bad thing. These attacks are reminiscent of the attacks that used to be, and still are, applied to racial and religious minorities by the same people who direct their wrath at Republicans and particularly conservatives today.
Persecution is still persecution, no matter at whom it may be directed.
And the IRS has become the premier poster child for how to conduct persecution. They have LOTS of tools in their arsenal they do not yet bother to use.
Some animals are more equal than others.