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De Omnibus Dubitandum - Lux Veritas

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Why is the IRS regulating speech in the first place?

By: David Harsanyi  5/15/2013 09:01 PM
So, the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups (or, more precisely, groups displaying a bit too much gusto for limited government) was far more widespread than its initial apology would have led Americans to imagine.
Yes, it is disturbing — a dangerous abuse of power, no doubt. What’s more disturbing — or should be, at least — is the fact that the IRS has the capacity to undermine free speech in the first place. Despite President Barack Obama’s assurances, there are no safeguards that can be put into place to stop abuses of power.
The IRS doesn’t just collect taxes. It also enforces speech codes. Americans assembling to gripe about Washington should not have to petition Washington for the right to do so. Yet Democrats (and Republicans such as John McCain) have, for a long time, advocated deputizing the IRS with deep and wide-ranging powers over free speech.
Some liberals have argued that it’s reasonable for the IRS to pay special attention to the flood of tea party groups asking for 501(c)(4) applications (even though similarly motivated left-wing groups experienced little problems doing the same). In a 2012 editorial, in fact, The New York Times’ editorial board praised the IRS for targeting tea party groups because they did not “primarily” engage in “social welfare,” the designation used to merit tax exemption under Section 501(c)(4) of the tax code….To Read More….

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