@cjm4189 @matthewamiller @anneapplebaum The "conservative non-profit scandal" was more about GOP defunding the IRS and the IRS failing to adapt than it was about targeting one political party.
Both the Tea Party and progressive activist groups abused their tax-exempt status.
But the Tea Party did it 80% of the time.
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Both the Tea Party and progressive activist groups abused their tax-exempt status.
But the Tea Party did it 80% of the time.
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@cjm4189 @matthewamiller @anneapplebaum The IRS tried to slow the spread of tax-exempt status violations by more carefully scrutinizing Tea Party groups, but never had the resources for the job and understimated the workload. So the applications bogged down. They also failed to assess the impact of this approach.
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@cjm4189 @matthewamiller @anneapplebaum I know the IRS Commissioner, John Koskinen, as a man of competence, integrity and fairness. He was not grinding any axe by trying to block Tea Party abuses - he was following the laws and reg'ns.
Progressive groups were given the same treatment, as the IG report revealed.
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Progressive groups were given the same treatment, as the IG report revealed.
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@cjm4189 @matthewamiller @anneapplebaum In hindsight, it would have been better for the IRS to audit Tea Party and progressive groups' activities, and only then revoke their tax-exempt status for any egregious violations (which were common).
They would have achieved their goal *and* had proof they were being fair.
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They would have achieved their goal *and* had proof they were being fair.
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