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Yes it is when you are not applying the law equally to all groups.
I wouldn't say that all 501 c's are equal, some of these blatantly political groups really shouldn't even have tax exempt status. Political groups will always receive more scrutiny than your local fire department, they require more oversight and research. If there is one issue it's that some were not treated the same, I see it as procedural, not harassment.
Instead of arguing about equal treatment congress should be pushing to remove these political pacs from tax exempt status period. Saves the tax payers money, reduces the workload of the IRS and takes any perception of politics completely out of the discussion.
Political groups will always receive more scrutiny than your local fire department,
But the issue remains that it was Conservative groups that received more scrutiny. We're not comparing them to the local volunteer FF department, liberal groups with similar political activities skated through this process. That is not equal application of the law.
But the issue remains that it was Conservative groups that received more scrutiny. We're not comparing them to the local volunteer FF department, liberal groups with similar political activities skated through this process. That is not equal application of the law.
To further make the point, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Affairs (TIGTA) that conducted the initial internal review into the targeting of conservative groups found wrong doing. The IRS admitted as much. That is the one thing those that are quick to dismiss this scandal as nothing but chaff are never quite able to get around. The IRS has admitted that there was wrong doing. That fact, combined with the ever growing list of statements from IRS that are being proven to be outright lies would suggest that there is something wrong here. The IRS lied to Congress when asked if conservative groups were targeted. The IRS lied to Congress when they said this was a result of the actions of "a few low level, front line employees." It is now known that this targeting was directed and overseen by special counsel at the D.C. headquarters. The actions were clearly politically motivated, and the assertions that liberal groups were also subjected to the same level of scrutiny and delay have been proven to be grossly overstated. The one thing that has not yet been proven is knowledge of or involvement in this targeting by White House staff members.
But the issue remains that it was Conservative groups that received more scrutiny. We're not comparing them to the local volunteer FF department, liberal groups with similar political activities skated through this process. That is not equal application of the law.
There were other groups that received the same scrutiny, progressives, palestinan, marijuana, even a black sorority had to wait over 2 years, maybe you have the numbers but there were other than conservative groups that received focus.
The problem needs to be corrected but how do they review obvious political groups without getting into the details. This would be more of an issue if these organizations were stopped dead in their tracks but that was not the case.
Correct, Lois Lerner said it when she broke the story with her planted question, the IG report says it and the acting IRS chief Weurfel has said it. There is absolutely no question whether Conservative groups were targeted.
There were other groups that received the same scrutiny, progressives, palestinan, marijuana,
LOL How many? I can assume the reason you are under the impression that these other groups were also targeted is becsue the media went into frenzy over the news they were on the BOLO lists too. What they failed to report widely was that the IG and Weurfel reiterated that it was only Conservative groups that were subjected to increased scrutiny , questioning and holding their applications in limbo for years.
As matter of fact since both liberal and conservative groups were on these BOLO lists and it was only the conservative groups that had the extra scrutiny it actually makes it worse since it shows they were systematically targeted.
Yes it is when you are not applying the law equally to all groups.
No, no one was leaned on or troubled in any way, no one was prevented from saying or doing whatever they wanted to. One would have to redefine the words to mean "makes right wingers pout and cry" for harassment and silencing to be taking place.
The bottom line is that this balloon has lost its air. Obama antagonists can jump up and down all they want but it's going nowhere. Issa has already embarrassed himself and isn't likely to double-down.
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