Tuesday, June 4, 2013

The meat of the IRS scandal - The IRS is so used to being above the Constitution, they don't even understand their thuggery




John Adams knew that, “Facts are stubborn things.”
In this District, facts are hidden under the mantle of office.
They get used as tools or weapons,
But facts wait for us.
We must seek them with the lamp of truth
And put them into words.
But you and I speak different languages in this Republic.
You speak the language of Power: the pen, purse or gavel.
I speak grassroots American, the language of Liberty through
Providence, property and civic virtue.
We seldom speak together frankly about the rule of law even when
it is ignored or broken, but now is such a time.
I have a story that bridges the distance between my state of
California and this Capitol.
What I say here, must be said here.
Pilgrims brought to this continent a lamp of Liberty, guided
Here by the pursuit of Life within the words of Moses and Christ.
They persevered for righteous freedom.
We sit here in the shadows of Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln.
We visit here memorials to those who fell in service to country.
They persevered for righteous power.
The spirit of patriots living and dead grants me the right to be here.
It is my duty as an American citizen to speak here today.
Personal Development Center
Associates
Karen L. Kenney, PhD
Marriage, Family Therapist (MFT25611)
6345 Balboa Blvd., Suite 212
Encino, CA 91316
818-996-6820 or FAX: 818-776-60312
Website: PDCAONLINE.com
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__________________________________
In October 2010, the San Fernando Valley Patriots, a not-for-profit
corporation in California, applied with the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) for 501(c) 4 status as a tax-exempt social welfare
organization. We were then and remain a “tea party” group
affiliated with the national Tea Party Patriots.
We heard nothing until February 2012 when I received a packet
from the IRS Exempt Organizations Office in Cincinnati, OH,
which included a questionnaire with 35 items divided into 80 subpoints
of inquiry.
A cover letter indicated we had 20 days to comply without penalty
including “penalties of perjury” for failure to answer all questions
with facts that are “true, correct, and complete.”
Generally, the questions were a demand that read like the chilling
words from the 1950s: “Are you now or have you ever been...”
The IRS sought documentation of our meetings, rallies, events, or
candidate forums. That included video and audio transcriptions,
notes, copies of all handouts; the political party of speakers, and an
“issues” list.
The IRS sought identifying information on employees; data on
volunteers and members, plus Employer Identity Numbers (EINs)
on businesses with which we associate. These are our donors.

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They have names: Mike, the printer, who gave us a discount on
handbills; Dee, the beauty consultant, who donated posters for our
Tax Day rallies and Greg, the electrician, who made a stand for our
9-11 banner out of pipes and wires.
The IRS sought EINs and details on our association with taxexempt
organizations. These are our teachers.
They have names: The Heritage Foundation, FreedomWorks, and
the National Center for Constitutional Studies, where we learn
American History; the Tea Party Patriots, where we learn
grassroots skills, and the West Valley Food Pantry, our charity.
The IRS sought details of communications with our legislators.
Even in Southern California that is protected Free Speech.
My personal favorite was question No. 33, which in relation to
protests asked for a listing of our “committed violations of local
ordinances, breaches of public order or arrests” then requested
details on how we “conduct or promote” illegal activities.
I think the IRS needs to fix its labeling machine: We’re the San
Fernando Valley Patriots, not Occupy Oakland.
I stopped the costly and exhausting IRS process in July 2012. We
survive on my credit card and donations in our cake tin.
Like patriots before us, we persevere.
________________________________________________

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The voice of this Republic resides in our citizens, not in the tongue
of government. More must grasp that self-evident truth.
This dialogue is about the jackboot of tyranny upon the field of our
Founding documents. To whisper the letters I-R-S strikes a shrill
note on Main St., USA, but when this behemoth tramples upon
America’s grassroots, few hear the snapping sounds.
Now, more people listen, but few who know the truth speak.
This moment reflects a reality of governance in America.
This time we came to you. In time, you will come home to us.
This time we came for truth. In time, the lies will fall.
“Vox Populi. Vox Dei” (The Voice of the People is the Voice of
God) is irresistible, but different in America. Our voice belongs to
the free individual, not to the collective mob.
Our voice is best heard when Power kneels, then whispers to
Liberty, “Strength.”
And when Liberty stands under Heaven, then shouts to Power,
“Freedom!”
_______ THANK YOU _______
Personal Development Center
Associates
Karen L. Kenney, PhD
Marriage, Family Therapist (MFT25611)
6345 Balboa Blvd., Suite 212
Encino, CA 91316
818-996-6820 or FAX: 818-776-60312
Website: PDCAONLINE.com
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AND MORE





Good morning! I am Susan Martinek, president of the Coalition for Life of Iowa, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 
Coalition for Life of Iowa (CFLI) is a grass-roots, low-budget public charity founded in 2004, to provide prayer, education, and related activities about the sanctity of life from conception to death. Throughout our history, we have organized and sponsored educational forums and engaged in peaceful prayer activities. 
In 2008, we sought 501(c)(3) tax-exempt recognition from the IRS, by filing a complete IRS Form 1023 application including educational and religious materials. In mid-2009, the IRS’s Cincinnati office contacted me and refused to grant approval until our group answered all its questions and agreed to surrender our First Amendment rights of assembly, free speech, and religious expression. In particular, the IRS wanted our assurances that we would not bother Planned Parenthood! Once we secured experienced legal counsel through the public interest law firm of the Thomas More Society, we were able to submit additional extensive information and explain to the IRS that our constitutional rights could not be so impaired. Within a week of our attorneys’ submission, the Coalition for Life of Iowa obtained IRS approval – no more questions. 
I speak today so that what happened to us – the IRS’s demonstrated harassment, improper questions, and intolerance toward our message – may not happen to others. 
The IRS’s questions centered on our educational activities, potential political activities, our prayer groups, and signage. On April 27, 2009, IRS Agent Ms. Richards sent me a letter asking about our educational forums, whether we were trying to influence legislation or influence political campaigns. We had already answered “NO” on the IRS Form 1023 application. I responded May 14, answering all her questions fully. 
In the subsequent weeks, IRS Agent Richards contacted me by telephone a few times, asking more questions about our activities. Some questions I asked her she was unable to answer and would put me on hold and check with her supervisor/supervisors. 
In June of 2009, Ms. Richards told me verbally that we needed to send in a letter with the entire board's signatures stating that under penalty of perjury we would not picket/protest or organize groups to picket/protest outside of Planned Parenthood. Upon receiving such a letter, she indicated that the IRS would allow our application to go through. 
That didn’t make sense. Why would we – as volunteers in a charitable organization – be required to surrender our First Amendment rights as a condition of 501(c)(3) approval? Why was the IRS protecting Planned Parenthood (a multi-million dollar government-funded behemoth), against our small Iowa prayer group (operating on less than $5000 a year in 
revenues?) We had done nothing wrong. We had not indicated that we would do anything but peaceably assemble and hold up signs like “Stop abortion” and “Pray to end abortion.” No graphic images, no heckling, no disruption; just respectful behavior on public property. 
So we sent a follow-up letter to the IRS, respectfully requesting where in the Form 1023 or elsewhere it stated we could not protest at Planned Parenthood. The IRS never answered our question. 
Instead, the IRS continued questioning us. On June 22, 2009, IRS Agent Richards sent us additional written requests, as follows: “Please explain how all of your activities, including the prayer meetings held outside of Planned Parenthood are considered educational as defined under 501(c)(3). Organizations exempt under 501(c)(3) may present opinions with scientific or medical facts. Please explain in detail the activities at the prayer meetings. Also, please provide the percentage of time your organization spends on prayer groups as compared with the other activities of the organization. Please explain in detail the signs that are being held up outside of Planned Parenthood and explain how they are considered educational.” 
When we met at our next board meeting, we all were disappointed with the IRS’ request. We had worked so hard to get the application correct. We had a local attorney skilled with this process helping us. We understood that we could hold up signs with educational information about abortion and the sanctity of life, without the IRS questioning their validity. We never thought we would have to defend our prayer activities. As Christians we knew we needed to pray for a better solution to unplanned pregnancy than abortion, why not at the source? Personally, I wondered, who fights the IRS? What would the repercussions be? Would there even be a hope to win? 
Since we focused on educational forums and not picketing or protesting, some board members were willing to sign the requested letter. But others refused to sign a 
statement that unfairly restricted first amendment rights. We had very little funds. One board member suggested we contact the Thomas More Society, a public interest law firm. They help “the little guy” with legal problems. They took our case, and found us an attorney that specializes in this area. 
Fortunately with their help, and after we submitted a lengthy letter detailing the law and our constitutional rights, the IRS granted us tax-exempt status just one week after our Thomas More Society attorney sent in that letter to IRS Agent Richards.. No more mention was made of any IRS-required board statement about protesting and picketing outside of Planned Parenthood. 
We were fortunate. But not all are. Our story has a happy ending. Donors can claim charitable tax deductions for their contributions. With their help, we can carry out our educational and religious activities to promote respect for human life, such as our March for Life and 40 Days for Life campaigns. We believe that these activities, along with other resources like local crisis pregnancy centers, have helped bring abortions down locally over 37% in just 3 years – literally saving lives. 
But we had to fight the IRS and its extended content-based scrutiny to get our tax exemption approval. I can’t help but wonder, what other organizations have faced this opposition? Did they give up? 
Like so many other 501(c)(3) charities in our wonderful country, Coalition for Life of Iowa seeks to save lives, help others, and improve our community. May our story of the IRS’s overreaching spur reform of its practices, better treatment of our charitable institutions, and continued protection of our First Amendment freedoms. Thank you. 
Susan Martinek 
President of Coalition for Life of Iowa 
susjmar@aol.com 
319-366-1684 


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