Bravo,
Rep. Jim McDermott (D- WA), schooling
the tea baggers at the IRS hearings the other day :
“But as I listen to this discussion, I’d like to remind everyone what
we are talking about here. None of your organizations were kept from
organizing or silenced. We are talking about whether or not the
American taxpayers would subsidize your work. We are talking about a tax
break.
“I get the feeling that many of you and my Republican colleagues
don’t just believe you should be free from political targeting, but that
you should be free from scrutiny of any kind.
“The purpose of C3 and C4 tax exemptions is to enable easier
promotion of public good, not political work. It is the responsibility
of the IRS to determine which groups are choosing the correct exempt
status and which are trying to manipulate the system to avoid taxes and
hide political organizations and their campaign donors. Without
oversight, a status meant for charities becomes a machine for political
money laundering. And if you think that’s farfetched, you can talk to
Speaker Gingrich. He was fined $300,000 by the Ethics Committee for
funneling money from a C3 to his Political Action Committee.
“Each of your groups is highly political. From opposing the
President’s healthcare reform, to abortion restrictions, to gay
marriage, you’re all entrenched in some of the most controversial
political issues in this country – and with your applications you are
asking the American public to pay for that work. Many of you host and
endorse candidates. The line between permitted political activity and
non-permitted political activity can be very fine, and it’s important
that tax payers know which side you fall on." (our emphasis)
More Democrats need to get out of their crouch (h/t Mr. Pierce) and lay these points out in clear terms, over and over, whether the cameras are rolling or not.
