Proposed new IRS regulations are “a lawless attack on political speech” that would “destroy fair elections.” Betsy McCaughey via Human Events: The Obama administration and New York’s senior senator, Democrat Chuck Schumer, are conspiring to muzzle their political opponents before fall’s midterm elections, and to literally outlaw free speech. They are rushing through a change in IRS regulations that would prevent tea party organizations and other not-for-profits, called 501(c)(4)s, from engaging in customary pre-election activities, such as get-out-the-vote drives, debates and forums, and distributing brochures that rate candidates. The regulation would even prohibit these groups from criticizing incumbent officeholders within 60 days of a general election. This regulation would destroy fair elections. It would silence 501(c)(4)s, many of which support Republican causes, while imposing no restraints on labor unions, the shadow army of the Democratic Party, which are exempt. This administration’s weaponization of government to “punish” its “enemies” has gone from covert IRS targeting of tea party groups and “off-plan” IRS rules drafting, to overt calls to regulate opposition into silence. “Schumer shows no shame over siccing the IRS on his political rivals.”
In addition to a pen and a phone, “The president has vast regulatory machinery to make a sham of the 2014 elections and all this nation stands for.” And he’s not afraid to use it.