Here’s what the IRS has been looking for. The biggest political farce on earth is the extraordinarily naïve perception that a Tea Party 501 (c) (3), the right-wing entity that sprung up nationwide, fully nurtured and politicized in a matter of weeks, hasn’t been in daily violation of the letter and spirit of what is supposed to represent a true non-profit organization. Offices, Websites, meeting place rentals, Speakers and entertainers (often paid), their venues, travel expenses, millions of professionally printed and expensive handouts and mailers, communications – all in 50-state servitude to the Republican radical right agenda. That’s many multiple millions of taxable dollars from somewhere.
A 501 (c) (4) must be operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare. The NRA is a 501 (c) (4). God knows, 30,000 gun-related deaths a year are the very definition of “social welfare.”
Here’s the definition of a 501 (c) (3). See if Tea Party and Patriots meet it. It (the organization) must be operated for one of the purposes or missions specified in Section 501. That means it operates EXCLUSIVELY for a charitable purpose, which includes such activities as providing relief for the poor (HA!!!), defending civil rights (HA!!!) and advancing education, science or religion. What? Vouchers, destroying public schools, climate-deniers ($120 million of FR money has gone to sympathetic groups) and/or religious zealotry?
The Tea Party and the extremists “Patriot” groups are full-on, 100%, dipped in cement political organizations. Period! They laughingly use the term “issues” to somehow represent proof of their non-profit status.
MORE: Fellow Progressives: The IRS ‘Scandal’ Is a Crock and You Should Fight Back.