The IRS probe of the NAACP

The Washington Times ^ | February 3, 2005 | Masthead Editorial

[neverdem]

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The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com

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The IRS probe of the NAACP

Published February 3, 2005

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The NAACP has sent a letter to the IRS telling the federal agency that it was refusing to cooperate with the investigation of its tax-exempt status. The privileged tax status of the nation's oldest civil rights organization may be in jeopardy if the NAACP engaged in prohibited partisan political activity during last year's presidential election. At issue are the remarks made by NAACP Chairman Julian Bond on July 11, 2004, at the NAACP's annual convention.

    NAACP Interim President and CEO Dennis Hayes has charged that the IRS investigation, which was officially launched on Oct. 8, apparently in response to complaints filed by two congressmen, was "clearly motivated by partisan politics." An NAACP statement declared that the organization "has rejected the IRS's premise that Bond's speech constituted prohibited campaign intervention."

    The NAACP reports that the IRS, in its communications with the civil rights group, "claims that Bond, speaking at last year's convention, 'condemned' President Bush's war, economic and educational policies." Referring to the IRS' reported rationale for launching its investigation, Mr. Bond asserted, "Under that standard, 55 million Americans would be subject to audits."

    Apart from the fact that more than 60 million Americans -- not 55 million -- actually voted for presidential candidates other than George W. Bush, Mr. Bond also errs in failing to consider the relevant fact that none of those divided voters, unlike the NAACP on whose behalf Mr. Bond was speaking, enjoys tax-exempt status.

    In a letter to Rep. Charles Rangel, who is the ranking member of the House Ways...

[dljordan]

"An NAACP statement declared that the organization "has rejected the IRS's premise that Bond's speech constituted prohibited campaign intervention."

Well that settles it then. Case closed, nothing to see here.

[dljordan]

Right, it's the NRA.

[neverdem]

NAACP is not the nation's oldest civil rights organization.

No, that's the National Rifle Organization.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

What's the line about staying quiet while "they" [the IRS, in this case] go after everyone else, only to have no one left to defend you when "they" come looking for you?

Look, the Income Tax charitable deduction concept is the only reason the NAACP is subject to this harassment, and it is the only reason a Baptist church might be considered culpable (as opposed to possibly unwise) for explicitly urging its parishoners to vote for or against particular candidates.

The deductable contribution puts the government in the business of deciding what is "charitable" or "educational" - and what is "political."

Neither the flat tax nor the national sales tax suffers from that constitutional infirmity. And either would be preferable to what we have now.

[Political Junkie Too]

11/7/2000 - Newsmax: Jesse Jackson Jr. Says Church Politicking 'Supersedes the Law'

It may be against federal election law to campaign in church. But for Democrats seeking to get out the vote in minority districts, politicking from the pulpit has become indispensable.

In the last days of this year's campaign, Vice President Al Gore, Senate candidate Hillary Clinton and her husband have all made regular appearances at African-American and Hispanic churches.

Even when parishioners objected to Mrs. Clinton campaigning from the altar at a Rochester, N.Y., Catholic church last week, the rules were not enforced. Those who didn't like it were simply ejected by police while the first lady continued her campaign speech.

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., whose namesake is both a reverend and one of the Democratic Party's most vocal boosters, was challenged on the issue Monday during a Tennessee radio interview on WLAC-AM by "Nashville This Morning" hosts Steve Gill and Terry Hopkins.

GILL: Let me ask you about this. It's against IRS regulations for politicians to campaign from the pulpit. Why are these politicians campaigning in black churches?

JACKSON: I'm not totally convinced that's true in the African-American community. Certainly there's a separation of church and state. But in our community there's little distinction between our religion and our politics. ... And so in many African-American churches born out of experience in this country, the role of the churches has evolved into a very, very active political institution which has been very effective for a number of causes in the black community.

HOPKINS: And that supersedes the law?

JACKSON: Absolutely. Oh, absolutely.

-PJ

[Cheapskate]

Bingo , If I'm not mistaken, the GOP is.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

yes

[Eric in the Ozarks]

yes

[river rat]

".....there's little distinction between our religion and our politics."

I'd like Jesse Jr to explain the "religion" that preaches abortion, corruption, extortion, race baiting, anti-education, victimization, leaching on the public taxpayer, etc, etc.....

Oh, excuse me --- that IS the Democrat party...

Semper Fi

[nothingnew]

The NAACP has sent a letter to the IRS telling the federal agency that it was refusing to cooperate with the investigation of its tax-exempt status.

Well, I'm not "tax exempt", tho we all should be, but if the IRS ever pulls an audit on me, I'm going to tell them I refuse to cooperate.....BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!.......see y'all in 5to10.

FMCDH(BITS)

[CatAtomic]

and after they revoke the NAALCP's tax exempt status they should go after the NEA,,, I'm sick of funding these jackasses(Dems)!

[Verginius Rufus]

Now I understand. For Jesse Jackson, black Republicans are heretics.

[jiggyboy]

Are they using the anal probe sans lubricant I hope?

Bad news: They are using lubricant. Good news: It's Tabasco Sauce! *rimshot*

[Ronaldus Magnus]

After relentless provocation, the President has finally let slip the dogs of war.

[skinkinthegrass]

Are they using the anal probe sans lubricant I hope? Bad news: They are using lubricant. Good news: It's Tabasco Sauce! *rimshot*

...Just the thought. :^(

[dsc]

"Well, I'm not "tax exempt", tho we all should be, but if the IRS ever pulls an audit on me, I'm going to tell them I refuse to cooperate.....BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!.......see y'all in 5to10."

Actually, there was a recent federal court ruling that the IRS has no authority to compel cooperation absent a court order.

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[BerniesFriend]

Yellow sponges today also reacted with anger, or joy as is their nature, at being targeted for an audit..Spongebob's accountant had no comment as he has not had a chance to talk to his client who was chasing jellyfish this afternoon..developing..

[phoenix0468]

I think the NAACP needs to pony up some cash to the IRS and hand back that Tax Exempt Status certificate. I could hear the cheers in the crowd as I read Mr. Bonds politically biased words and overt campaigning for sKerry/Barbie.

[phoenix0468]

Is that quote attributable to Mr. Bond?