by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
I'm not a big fan of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), primarily because their main reason for existence appears to be to peddle insurance and Medicare supplements. I dropped out of the group a few years ago when it endorsed Bush's Medicare pharmacy plan for seniors - a plan that was authored by by pharmaceutical industry. But last year when AARP redeemed itself by supporting the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act, I joined again.
However, as Gilda Radner used to say, "It's always something!" Either Pa Rock gets pissed off, or the teabaggers take up arms. Obviously the booger-eating denizens of Teabagger Nation would go nuts on any organization that supports their favorite bogeyman - "Obamacare!"
So these loud-mouthed morons have now convinced a few of their Congressmen to try to get the AARP's tax-exempt status revoked - primarily because they view the group as politically active on the wrong issues. And that suits me just fine - but don't stop with the AARP. If we don't want tax-exempt status for one organization because of it's overt political agenda, let's apply that same yardstick to some other well-known non-profit organizations as well.
I personally would like to see politically active churches paying their fair share of the tax load (Catholics and Mormons - I'm especially looking at you!) And while we're at it, let's not forget one of the largest and best funded reactionary groups in the country - the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Or better yet, the National Rifle Association!
There are so many great tax sources out there just waiting to be tapped! Tax them all!
Citizen Journalist
I'm not a big fan of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), primarily because their main reason for existence appears to be to peddle insurance and Medicare supplements. I dropped out of the group a few years ago when it endorsed Bush's Medicare pharmacy plan for seniors - a plan that was authored by by pharmaceutical industry. But last year when AARP redeemed itself by supporting the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act, I joined again.
However, as Gilda Radner used to say, "It's always something!" Either Pa Rock gets pissed off, or the teabaggers take up arms. Obviously the booger-eating denizens of Teabagger Nation would go nuts on any organization that supports their favorite bogeyman - "Obamacare!"
So these loud-mouthed morons have now convinced a few of their Congressmen to try to get the AARP's tax-exempt status revoked - primarily because they view the group as politically active on the wrong issues. And that suits me just fine - but don't stop with the AARP. If we don't want tax-exempt status for one organization because of it's overt political agenda, let's apply that same yardstick to some other well-known non-profit organizations as well.
I personally would like to see politically active churches paying their fair share of the tax load (Catholics and Mormons - I'm especially looking at you!) And while we're at it, let's not forget one of the largest and best funded reactionary groups in the country - the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Or better yet, the National Rifle Association!
There are so many great tax sources out there just waiting to be tapped! Tax them all!
3 comments:
Amen, brother, do I hear a Hallelujah!!!
Even I wince when churches supporting Democratic candidates get more than a big Amen from the pulpit.
It is difficult to draw a bright line between freedom of speech and freedom of religion. The tax code does have provisions for what tax exempt groups may and may not do when the engage in politics.
One of the things a tax exempt entity may not do is comingle their regular money with electioneering money. This is a bright line which the Chamber of Commerce violated last year. Another line the Chamber breached was the prohibition of foreign funds being introduced into America's political process.
The Chamber didn't segreagate their foreign donor money or their electioneering money into seperate accounts. The Chamber asks us to trust them. I don't.
All in all your point is well taken.
Next time I promise to proof read as I go typing in tongues!
Post a Comment