Comments on Advance Indiana™: A Celebration Of Faith And Family? Or A Celebration of Lies and Hypocrisy?

I think first we need to consider why AI believes ...

2006-08-21T13:55:00.000-05:00

I think first we need to consider why AI believes IFI's c-3 status should be revoked.

Is it because IFI disagrees fully with Hamilton's ruling? Is this partisan? Aren't JUDGES supposed to be bi-partisan. So, an attack on a ruling cannot be partisan, can it?

Secondly, to take away a c-3 status when IFI is not being partisan, but merely attacking issues, would be view point discrimination. I think we still all agree that free speech is generally a good thing.

Of course Hamilton did not forbid Bosma to ever pray, but is that what IFI is saying? No, they are saying that during legislative sessions Bosma and other representatives of the community (especially clergy - Christian, Jewish, Muslim) are not allowed to pray in the manner that they wish to pray! That is certainly an attack on the historical tradition of the legislative body, if nothing else.

I encourage you to read the Indiana legislature's resolution in regard to Hamilton's ruling.

May I ask, AI, where your J.D. is from?

How about getting rid of the IRS altogether? How d...

2006-08-16T15:25:00.000-05:00

How about getting rid of the IRS altogether? How did we ever survive before the creation of the social engineering group known as the IRS?

A number of conservative nonprofit groups were tar...

2006-08-15T16:38:00.000-05:00

A number of conservative nonprofit groups were targeted during the Clinton years with IRS investigations/audits. I fully support the investigation of these groups, as I have urged that many are operating beyond the bounds of a truly nonprofit organization; however, the only groups targeted by the Clinton IRS were conservative, Republican-leaning groups, such as the Christian Coalition, Heritage Foundation, National Rifle Association, Western Journalism Center, Citizens Against Government Waste, and National Review and the American Spectator. The Clintons also used the IRS to go after Billy Dale, who exposed their nefarious dealings with the White House travel office.

Gary,Abut your comment: "...although I should poin...

2006-08-15T10:26:00.000-05:00

Gary,

Abut your comment: "...although I should point out that the Clintons used the IRS to carry out their dirty work against political opponents and groups they disliked. The Christian Coalition is one group targeted by the Clinton's IRS.", what was the 'dirty work' the Clintons used the IRS for?

> Is anyone there concerned about enforcing these ...

2006-08-15T09:32:00.000-05:00

> Is anyone there concerned about enforcing these laws?

It's on my to-do list (to report the IFI to the IRS).

There's a lot of truth to that, although I should ...

2006-08-15T07:15:00.000-05:00

There's a lot of truth to that, although I should point out that the Clintons used the IRS to carry out their dirty work against political opponents and groups they disliked. The Christian Coalition is one group targeted by the Clinton's IRS. The NAACP has been in hot water with the IRS since it openly opposed Bush. This year they invited Bush to speak at their national meeting in hopes of restoring relations and getting the IRS off their backs.

Gary, there is a perfectly good explanation for th...

2006-08-15T05:56:00.000-05:00

Gary, there is a perfectly good explanation for the lack of IRS intervention in all this nonsense. They are not just sitting on their asses, nor are they oblivious to the religious right's flagrant flaunting of the rules.

The IRS is looking the other way because the powers that be have told them to look the other way.

Here's how it works:

You (churches, religious leaders, and so-called "family organizations") sing the praises of the Republican party and deliver votes.

In exchange, we (the right-wing controlled Republican majority) will provide you with huge amounts of taxpayer dollars in the form of "faith-based initiatives." We'll also advocate for all of your social issues (same-sex marriage bans, abortion bans, et. al.) and of course, we'll keep the IRS off your ass.

I realize this may sound like some sort of partisan conspiracy theory, but what other explanation is there for the religious right to so blatantly disregard the tax rules?

I don't think I'm a partisan (I have issues with both parties), but in my mind the only way this issue is going to get fixed is for the Republicans to lose control, and (hopefully) realize what a mistake it was to let the kooks control their party and thus institute much-needed intra-party reform.

Without the protection of a Republican majority (controlled by right wing extremists), the religious right will develop a healthy fear of the IRS just like the rest of us.