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Posted on 05/14/2013 7:20:06 AM PDT by grundle
The rabbit hole is getting ever deeper for the embattled IRS. Last Friday, Lois Lerner of the IRS tax-exempt-organizations division, issued an apology for the targeting of conservative groups in the screening process for 501c(4) tax-exempt status. She also claimed then that only low-level employees in a Cincinnati office had been guilty of singling out groups containing the words “tea party” or “patriot.” However, a report reviewed by both The Wall Street Journal and Reuters has indicated that the questions of who initiated the practice and how the conservative groups were targeted are more complicated than previously thought.
The report revealed that high level IRS officials knew about the targeting nearly one year before then-IRS commissioner Douglas Shulman informed Congress. Moreover, the criteria by which these groups were singled out continually evolved over the course of the 2012 election cycle. By January 2012, groups were being selected from “political action type organizations involved in limiting/expanding government, educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights, social economic reform/movement,” according to the Treasury Department report. Even the phrase “making America a better place to live” began getting applications for 501c(4) status reviewed.
Many groups covet this status not only for its lack of tax obligations, but also because they typically do not have to disclose donors. This status requires the primary activity of the group to be the betterment of social welfare, and although political activity is allowed, no one is quite sure how this ratio is calculated. The screenings then began as an attempt to investigate the activities of groups and be sure that their functions were in line with the mantra of social welfare. However, the increased questioning of potential groups exclusively targeted conservatives.
Members of Congress are concerned, as Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.) told NBC Sunday that “there has to be accountability for the people who did it. And, quite frankly…there’s got to be accountability for people who were telling lies about it being done.” Issa’s concern was shared by at least one member across the aisle, as Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) said, “Somebody made the decision that they would give extra scrutiny to this particular group. And I think we have to understand why.”
The number of applications for 501c groups increased to 3,400 from 1,200 over the course of 2010 to 2012, prompting campaign finance activists to demand action from the IRS as the Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” ruling allowed for cash to pour into the groups. This prompted Lerner’s letter to Rep. Issa on April 26, which stated: “There are instances where donor information may be needed…such as when the application presents possible issues of…private benefit.” As Congress investigates further, the IRS finds itself a distraction to the Obama administration and mired in its own embarrassment.
Repeal the 16th Amendment.
If they want our money, let them hold a bake sale.
Ban the IRS!!!
What purpose was the IRS/OBayMe Regime using the donor lists for? ObamaCare panels to decide who gets medical care?
Benghazi got nuttin’ on some irs scandal. Tea party gets investigated? Nothin’ new here. They (irs) just ratted themselves out and king hussein is to dumb to understand that. He said if it proves to be true? Well dumbo they admitted they did it. Guess that isn’t proof enough huh? After all, he also said he ALWAYS gets the facts before making a call. Let’s not jump to conclusions or pre-judge. Face in hands again. Exasperation would be an understatement.
The litany of excuses by this administration is a rip-off of Bart Simpson.
Then there is this.....
“The FBI, IRS and Knoxville Police Department conducted a raid at Pilot Flying J Headquarters off Lonas Drive in West Knoxville Monday.
The FBI and IRS are not releasing details as to exactly why they were on the property of the company, which had $29 billion in revenue 2012.”
The company is owned by the Haslem family...... father and brother of Governor Bill Haslem of Tennessee who declined to take on the Obamacare exchanges
Y’all know this is just to distract from Benghazi, right?
Who’s with me when I think that there could literally be December, 2011 surveillance video of Obama reading as he types an email authorizing the targeting of Tea Party Groups by the IRS and nothing, NOTHING would happen to him?
I am not saying he’s directly responsible, I am just saying no matter how far up the chain they could implicate anyone, Obama is impervious. Am I cynical in matters like this when it comes to axes falling? Yeah.
Gee, I wonder why they find that threatening?
If we’d all gotten behind the NRST back when Bush was in office and the GOP had Congress...
We wouldn’t be having this discussion right now.
There should be jail time for all who were responsible, for their bosses all the way up the food chain to the top dog who knew about this.
Shock? Really???
As has been observed ad infinitum... this ‘President’ has NO practical OR theoretical management, business or just plain W O R K credentials. Nothing in his background (such as has been available to us -thank you MSM!!) I say, NOTHING recommends him, his documented ability, professionalism or his credibility. - He's NEVER actually WORKED, he has NO work or business experience!
How could anyone on earth be shocked that under this administration, all and every agency and dept runs amok?
Ha...so the low level employees are expendable thus to be thrown under the bus. What a bunch of pond scum the IRS has/have evolved to.
Fixed it.
Unfortunately repealing the 16th Amendment would only stop non-wage income taxes. Taxes on wages are considered an excise tax and did not need the 16th Amendment.
THAT, my friends, is an admission that they see the Constitution as an enemy,
which, conversely, fingers them as domestic enemies of the Constitution.
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