IRS dog and pony show completely manufactured?

This "scandal" IS manufactured in the sense that the outrage surrounding it completely circumvents the facts and history that brought us here; When congress passed the bill creating the 501-(c)(4) tax-exempt status it described eligible organizations that, among other qualities, exist "exclusively" to serve the public good. Like any government agency, the IRS must take legislation and interpret it to apply to the reality of enforcement. Their interpretation changed the word "exclusively" to "primarily," thus opening the door for almost any organization to apply for 501-(c)(4) status.

The IRS reverting their interpretation to match the intent of the original legislation would solve this problem right away. Or our elected officials could compel them to.

Any reasonable citizen would agree that, in a well-functioning democracy, government agencies should never give preference or undue scrutiny to any particular political party. In practice however, everyone knows that as of late obscene amounts of money have been funneled into the political arena through non-traditional channels- i.e. Political Action Committees- by a wealthy few. The result is that these few elite can swing elections in their favor without consent of the masses, and the "Citizens United" ruling by the Supreme Court only helped that effort. This is perpetrated by those on both ends of the political scale, but the so-called "Tea Party" seems to have perfected the art, and they are not shy to share their feelings about what they see as the "evils" of the Federal Tax System. Is it a wonder that they were targeted?

Each year the IRS receives tens of thousands of applications from organizations applying for 501-(c)(4) status and they simply to not have the manpower to review and investigate each and every one (to hire enough staff to do so would most certainly be lambasted by conservatives, as an example of a "bloated" and "over-reaching" Federal Govt.) They had to devise a system to filter out applications that deserved review. Garnering much less media attention than the original "scandal" is the recent revelation that the system they came up with was originally devised by a CONSERVATIVE working for the IRS.

Really, it's simple; When a major plank of a groups platform is to eliminate taxes, they maybe, perhaps, deserve a second-look when applying for an oft-abused tax-exempt status. Conservatives always claim that liberals LOVE taxes, so why the surprise at the liberal group's being challenged less for 501-(c)(4) status?

Great question that seems to not exist in the so called reality of cable news!

Why is ANYONE surprised that a POLITICALLY oriented organization might likely be too politically goal oriented to qualify? Wouldn't that be ONE of the RED FLAGS that should cause an employee to take a second look? Shouldn't it be?

Edited to add: I agree with those who say Obama isn't taking a strong enough stance. If they're gonna fight dirty then how can we not? Sad but I think it's actually true in the environment of extremism we have right now .. why is the word enemy being thrown around so casually? Self fulfilling prophecy? How far will they take that hatred and indignant outrage that they can't call all the shots. Small government my ***! They want what THEY want and screw anyone else's RIGHTS .. they seem to think we don't deserve them. Figure that one out if you can ... scratching head .. Constitution supporting equality .... hmm

Another thing Obama is being too soft about.

He needs to step up and tell it like is.

It does not matter if you are a "political enemy" you still have to pay your taxes.

No these groups were not targeted...they painted targets on themselves and then ran down range...now Obama is trying once again to play the middle.

He is just too centerist for my taste.

@McNamara...you still have to show that the correct percentage of your organizations income is actually SPENT ON CHARITY...jack asss

When people at the IRS give opponents of these organizations confidential information illegally there is NOTHING manufactured about it. LOL!

1. You forgot about 501(c)(3), genius. Under that classification, they DO qualify.

2. If it's manufactured, why would the IRS admit it targeted conservatives because of their politics?

So you provide a link from those who are guilty. I guess you're one of those people who agree that Eric Holder can investigate Eric Holder right oh my god you're fvcking idiot

What part of the IRS admitted they wrongly targeted people don't you get!

Corporate welfare gets the green light from the tea party and sundry like-minded dodgy GOPtards.

Well the IRS themselves admitted they were wrong so I guess that means you are full of crap.

Why can't you loonies get it through your head that OBAMA SAID THIS WAS INTOLERABLE????

OBAMA SAID IT.

Weren't you listening?