Let The Frivolous Lawsuits Fly

It didn't take long.  It was only a little over a month ago when it was disclosed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) did their job by giving extra scrutiny to groups applying for tax exempt status as 501(c)(4) organizations.  And now, conservative "tea party" and "patriot" groups have, as Lyle Denniston over at SCOTUSBlog states, filed suit against the IRS for violating their rights due to this extra scrutiny.

Let's be clear, in order to be tax exempt as a 501(c)(4), you are to engage exclusively as a "social welfare" organization.  By law, you are not allowed to be involved in politics, period.  Let's also be clear, even though these conservative groups received extra scrutiny, not one of them was denied tax exempt status.  Not one.  Some did withdraw their applications, but not one was denied.

One would think, by watching and reading the "mainstream media" (MSM), that the IRS only gave extra scrutiny to conservative groups and only groups with "tea party" or "patriot" in their name.  You would be sadly mistaken.  According to the IRS Inspector General, over 300 organizations were given extra scrutiny.  Of those 300, less than 100 of them were conservative groups.  Plus, of those 300 groups, only one was denied tax exempt status under 501(c)(4) and it was a liberal organization.

So even though these conservative organizations were clearly political organizations, they knowingly conspired to break tax law and be subsidized by the American tax payer.  To add insult to injury, they now file law suits against the IRS for giving them extra scrutiny.  To be fair, none of them should have been given tax exempt status and the real scandal is that clearly political organizations are regularly given tax exempt status.

In my view, the federal judges hearing these cases should throw them out as being frivolous, as the "offended" parties clearly broke the law.  Short of dismissal, these judges should rule that the law clearly states that to receive tax exempt status and the IRS has for years "misinterpreted" the statute and that these groups lose their tax exempt status.

Sadly, I don't think either will happen.

National Bully of 2011 Nominee: The Freshmen 60

The House of Representatives was designed by our Founding Fathers to be the voice of the people.  Today, the House of Representatives is anything but due to the influence of 60 freshmen who all adhere to the “tea party” ideology.  Elected to the House in 2010, these 60 Republicans have been the force behind all of the legislation that has passed in the House.  Whether it’s their war against unions, PBS, Planned Parenthood, the EPA or the average American, this minority of Representatives has thwarted the will of the people time and time again.

Therefore, the Freshman 60 are a National Bully of 2011 Nominee!

Phoenix Mayoral & Council Election 2011

Tomorrow, Tuesday, the voters in Phoenix go to the polls to choose a new mayor and five council members.  As with all elections, this one is very important.  Unlike other elections, this is the first mayoral and five council election in which someone has identified themselves as a "tea party" candidate for mayor.

In the mayor's race, Governor Brewer would like us to vote for ethically challenged and former councilwoman Peggy Neely.  The Arizona Republic would like us to have as our next mayor lobbyist Wes Gullett and the various public unions would like us to elect the only registered Democrat in the field of six, Greg Stanton.  Anna Brennan, Claude Mattox (*Warning* website has automatic audio) and Jennifer Wright are also on the ballot.

I myself support Greg Stanton for mayor.  Not because he is a Democrat or supported by the unions, but because he has a vision for Phoenix that doesn't include privatizing everything in sight.  He understands that if you want qualified people to work for the city, you need to treat them with respect and pay them a decent wage.  He also understands that Phoenix needs a good public transportation system, including light rail and that services for the poor and working poor are just as important as services for the elderly and the wealthy.

I have already voted for Mr. Stanton for mayor via my mail in ballot.  I hope the majority will and have done so as well.