I think one of the problems I've been having with the IRS/Tea Party scandlette is that when groups indicate that they believe they were targeted for partisan reasons, it kind of suggests that
they actually were partisan political groups and probably shouldn't have been claiming they weren't for tax exemption purposes. Part of that bias, though, comes from the word "party" being right in the name of some of these groups--and I think when we hear Republican politicians, like, for example, Michele Bachmann, describe themselves as "Tea Party" conservatives, it only adds to the misunderstanding. But I do seem to recall some blather back in 2009-2010 that the Tea Party wasn't supposed to be about conservative or liberal politics, per se, even though the movement is credited with getting an awful lot of Republicans elected in the 2010 congressional elections.
But to clarify, when the term "Tea Party" is being used, a distinction should be made between a "political party"--the thing where like-minded individuals work on getting particular candidates elected, and the more loose kind of party, where people wear silly hats. Lines have clearly been blurred, people. If only the IRS questionnaires asked fewer questions about what these groups did, and just concentrated on the hats, things would obviously be different.
2 comments:
They are angry Republicans, rebranded with Koch Brothers money, in order to further the interests of the Koch Brothers...less taxes and regulation.
That is all they are.
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the distinction of 'which' groups deserve Tax exempt status has been blurred. Two points.... It IS the IRS's job to investigation tax empt status. As you pointed out, their labeling makes them a target. It is a government agency doing their job. I make up some funny name for my business, write off my home expenses as tax deductions... I will be investigated, too.
Second point..... NO TEA PARTY group asking for the exempt status, was denied that status.
What it boils down to... is more fabrication. No on it makes sense.... it would be as if I would keep a AR 15 alongside my refrigerator door and claim it was there to keep elephants out of my jello.... and then proudly delare it worked!
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