Clay Putnam, CGCS said: Melvin Waldron, CGCS said: I heard an interesting theory, it was Rance Prebuis that had them dig into the Tea Party stuff, because the mainstream republican fear them more then they fear democrats.
I have also seen mentioned that there were liberal groups targeted as well.
If one type of group was targeted more then another, I would disagree with that, but honestly as I have read, according to the tax code, it seems the IRS was really doing it's job to make sure that the groups applying for an exemption were legitimate social groups. I don't have a problem with that. If that is what the tax code says, they need to be investigated before being granted exemption status. The only issue it seems is how they picked groups to scrutinize. but that's just my opinion.
Mel
Good night Mel, the republicans are at fault? Let me guess, your palls at MSNBC convinced you of this?
Just curious, where in the world did you read that the IRS was, "really doing it's job" and that the liberal groups have been equally targeted? This seems to be a classic Sal Alinsky tactic of turning the blame back onto the accuser.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/05/14/irs-tea-party-progressive-groups/2158831/
Clay your article stated that liberal groups were targeted too, the difference was they were still granted the tax exempt status, where as many of the tea party groups were not. Although also interesting was the Illinois Tea Party person who got their status approved pretty easily, defended the IRS, (granted she used to work for them). Saying with the increase of applications, the IRS wondered what was going on. Should they have been subjected to more scrutiny then the progressive organizations? No, should it had taken longer to get their status? I would have to say no, but I don't know what is required of groups that are filing, some said it was easy in the article, did those that it was made tougher on make a slip on the application and then that threw up a red flag? Don't know and can't say.
As for blaming the republicans, it was just something that someone had posted somewhere and I thought it was interesting, especially the way the Senate republicans are fighting amongst themselves, and who knows, the person running the IRS at the time was a Bush appointee, part of the establishment republicans, who don't see eye to eye with the tea party crowd with the exception is they both dislike the current president. I say it's no less a possibility then everything the right says about the democrats, liberals and the current administration.
Actually this time of year I don't watch much MSNBC, it's baseball season and I have the Royals on. But I had heard about liberal groups getting targeted from a variety of sources, including Rachael Maddow, (must have been an off night for the Royals). Not to say those sources have much validity, but your article mentioned it as well. Also I have learned that those like Rachael can make things sound worse then it really is, just like those on Fox as well, so I while I know those are facts, just how bad are they? I know I don't get as outraged as I used to.
As for the IRS doing it's job, that was my opinion, some group asks for a tax exemption, it is their job to investigate it. Now I won't disagree with you it seems some groups faced grater scrutiny, and I say that is not acceptable, they should all (both sides) face greater scrutiny. With those tax exempt statuses and I'm sure donations are tax exempt, that is money that isn't being taxed for revenue for the greater good of the country. If people don't want to pay taxes and have exemptions, let them give it to true charities that will do some good with the money for those less fortunate, rather then have the government have to pay for most of it. Or have them pay taxes and let it go to infrastructure, (I'm sure some in Washington State would like to see a little more taxes go for that, thank god everyone survived). Of course prioritize spending those tax dollars as well, instead of billions going to subsidize oil companies, (unless it's a true expense in research to help use better manage our resources), have it go to fixing up the country, putting people back to work.
But what do I know I'm just one of those whining liberals.
Mel