501(c)4s - The GOP's preemptive strike to protect its fraudulent activity

[Politicub]

The right is treating this entire issue as politically motivated, but how can this be since these groups aren't supposed to support one candidate or another?

Unless - gasp - the applicants and those who run these orgs are out for political gain.

So the GOP needs to be honest; admit that the applicants were perpetuating fraud by masquerading as social welfare orgs; and stop the obfuscation.

There is rampant disregard for the law by many 501(c)4s, and the IRS was just doing its job, IMHO, to apply scrutiny to the litany of filings.

All of the political bluster is to cover the GOP's abuse of 501(c)4s.

It makes me wonder if the GOP is trying to obfuscate the issue since there could be damning evidence lurking out there that proves that the biggest groups were directly involved and corroborating with political campaigns at all levels - reps, senators, and Romney's presidential bid.

Something smells rotten in Denmark.

And a tell that the GOP is mounting an obfuscation campaign is the sudden appearance of the concern troll storm over the weekend, and not to mention the coordinated talking points. DU old timers know exactly what I'm talking about and what's going on here.

[ProSense]

1. Exactly!

"Something smells rotten in Denmark. "

Also think about this: Republicans know the IRS has done this before. If they wanted to create a really damaging political storm, they would have tried to make hay of this during the election. Why didn't they?

They are trying to score political points to cover their political ass, but they may simply have opened a can of worms.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022836780

[Politicub]

3. The GOP blew the IRS dog whistle

And the anti-tax and anti-Obama crowd came running.

[KittyWampus]

2. they may very well end up regretting pushing this.

[starroute]

4. Some of these groups actually prey on Tea Partiers

This is a pattern that goes way back and is part of the direct mail fundraising racket. You form a group to appeal to some current conservative cause or other, send out requests for donations, and then spend 90% of the take on directors' salaries and on hiring your friends as "outside consultants."

When I've googled on some of these fraudulent groups, I've run into complaints by the Tea Partiers themselves about being ripped off.

Some of these groups even claim on their websites what contributions to them are tax deductible when they aren't -- because those groups haven't successfully registered with the IRS.

There's a lot of fraud, for sure, but not all of it is on behalf of the GOP.

[Politicub]

5. I see what you mean

Someone could form a group called the Tin Foil society whose focus is stopping drones from taking 3D printed guns.

That's an over the top example, but you're right that people can form one of these orgs and target those who are perpetually paranoid.

It would be interesting to really know how many fraudulent 501(c)4s actually exist.

[Quantess]

6. K & R

[treestar]

7. I agree

Their usual trumped up BS du jour.