Clueless???? right.... It's because I actually have a clue that I can sit here from a far and laugh at the fools that think this is big stuff. Let's start with the fact that if this were a real scandal, it would be getting real attention at this point, after all, we are 18 months into this thing. After numerous congressional inquiries we are far more focused on bad IT policy at the IRS than anything of real substance. After 18 months, the story has ZERO traction except from some political porn sites that exist to perpetuate fantasy. Yeah, it must be the liberal press that doesn't want to pay attention. Not only is that an incredibly weak and laughable argument, I dare say if you find yourself saying that, you should take it as a clue that you are susceptible to being taken by cults....
So, let's walk through the clues, shall we....
Do you understand what a 501(c)(4) is?
Social Welfare Organizations
Do you know that 501(c)(4) groups, in there original intent, were not allowed ANY political activity... but in a change in regulation by the Eisenhower administration a big loop-hole was created?
Rewriting the rules for 501(c)(4)s - Los Angeles Times
Do you know why 501(c)(4) status is important to political groups, particularly the tea party?
...because it allows them to skirt campaign disclosure laws...
The Real I.R.S. Scandal - The New Yorker
Do you know that you do not need to actually apply for 501(c)(4) status, you can simply declare it? These organizations applied because they were living on the edge of the law. Permission in this case was a better option than forgiveness....
One Reason To Apply For Tax-Exempt Status: Anonymity : NPR
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/Form14449.pdf
Optional Expedited Processing Offered to Certain 501(c)(4) Applicants Before December 23, 2013
Tea Party Groups--And Others--Can Beat IRS By Self-Declaring Tax Exemption - Forbes
Let's summarize, shall we.....
The 501(c)(4) is a not-for-profit social welfare organization that must be organized solely for the purpose of social welfare. It can engage in SOME lobbying activity, but that must be less than 40% of its activity. Contributors to 501(c)(4) organizations can be anonymous. 501(c)(4), as part of their lobbying activities CAN give their money to other organizations (anonymous in; single check out.... political money laundering).... During the time in question, 2009 to 2011 was, in essence, that advent and proliferation of tea party groups (they comprised most of the political groups formed during this time frame).... the IRS, being a unit of government that actually employs some smart people, saw this wave and stepped up scrutiny.
Political groups, in general and Tea party groups, in particular, reacted to the flow of capital provided by Citizens United to find ways to funnel money anonymously to their constituent candidates and causes. Knowing they were living on the edge, they actually filed for IRS determination letters. The IRS, knowing that these groups were pushing the limits of law scrambled to figure out what to do as there wasn't much precedent for determining how much political was too political.
IRS Tea Party Scandal: Primary Activity of a 501(c)4
The end of the day, the IRS was doing its job.
You are welcome! I am more than happy to help you become less clueless. As you now see, this is complete silliness. Your time would be better spent on something that mattered....and lay off the political porn, if screws up you mind...