Tag Archive for: IRS

Catherine Engelbrecht v. United States

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Catherine Engelbrecht’s testimony at House of Representatives hearing on the IRS targeting her and True the Vote.

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ABOUT TRUE THE VOTE:

Unfortunately, Americans have lost faith in the integrity of our nation’s election results and fraud and law-breaking has become all too common in our electoral system. We hope to change that perception. True the Vote is a citizen-led effort to restore truth, faith, and integrity to our elections.

True the Vote is an initiative developed by citizens for citizens, meant to inspire and equip volunteers for involvement at every stage of our electoral process. We promote ideas that actively protect the rights of legitimate voters, regardless of their political party affiliation.

We are working to restore integrity to the American system of electing its leaders. With True the Vote, we have, “deconstructed the entire process, focusing on educating voters, examining the registry, recruiting, training and mobilizing election workers and poll watchers, training how to collect data all along the way, then use the data to shape government action and legislative agendas to support desperately needed election code reform.”

Our government was built upon the belief that election results represent the true will of the people and our election processes were always intended to be supported by citizen volunteers. We are helping stop corruption where it can start – at the polls.

Our initiatives include:

  • Mobilizing and training volunteers who are willing to work as election monitors
  • Aggressively pursuing fraud reports to ensure prosecution when appropriate
  • Providing a support system for our volunteers that includes live and online training, quick reference guides, a call bank to phone in problem reports, information on videotaping at polling places, and security as necessary
  • Creating documentaries and instructional videos for use in recruiting and training
  • Raising awareness of the problem through strategic outreach efforts including advertising, social networking, media relations, and relational marketing
  • Voter registration programs and efforts to validate existing registration lists, including the use of pattern recognition software to detect problem areas

Based in Houston, Texas and headed by Catherine Engelbrecht (President), True The Vote is staffed by volunteers all across the country. Essentially, True The Vote is you and me. Every day Americans interested in the integrity of the elections in the home district.

 

A Real Stunner: Obama IRS “not even a smidgen of corruption”!

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 “Anything is better than lies and deceit!” – Leo Tolstoy

It’s been a rather stunning week.

It began with Denver fans sitting stunned as they watched the Seattle Seahawks totally decimate the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Then, the President stunningly said the IRS targeting scandal had “not even a smidgen of corruption”. That was news to lots of Americans.

Sadly, the President said this in the face of what has already been presented from numerous Congressional investigations and hearings, and likely without having been briefed on an unfinished, albeit what appears to be a highly politicized Justice Department investigation.

Then three days after the interview, at Wednesday’s Congressional oversight hearing, Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp presented a June 14, 2012,email between Ruth Madrigal, a career attorney at the U.S. Treasury Department and several top officials with the IRS in Washington.

In this rather stunning email, Madrigal wrote, “Don’t know who in your organizations is keeping tabs on c4s, but since we mentioned potentially addressing them (off – plan) in 2013, I’ve got my radar up and this seemed interesting…” Folks, in Washington speak, “off-plan” means hidden or secret from public view. So much for transparency.

This was followed by yesterday’s explosive IRS oversight hearing. Attorney Cleta Mitchell charged, “First, the IRS scandal is real. It’s not pretend, it’s real. Number two, the IRS scandal is not just a bone headed bunch of bureaucrats in some remote office contrary to what the President of the United States told the American people on Sunday. And, number 3, the IRS scandal is not over. It is continuing to this day. And, the Department of Justice Investigation is a sham. It is a NON-EXISTENT investigation.“

Mitchell then chronicled a series of what she described as “lies” during a stunning, opening statement.

The combative hearing culminated with several Members beating the drum for a Special Prosecutor. There’s only one word for this – stunning!

One wonders if the President now regrets making his “smidgen” declaration.

What has happened with the IRS scandals cannot be undone and deserves a full and unbiased, non-partisan investigation led by someone other than a major donor to the current President of the United States. And, today’s clarion call for a special prosecutor is a wise next step. Going forward, there is only one way to ensure that this kind of political terror never happens again.

HR 25, the FairTax Act of 2013, currently before Congress and the Committee on Ways and Means is the only legislation that provides simple and fair taxation for all Americans.

More importantly, HR 25 is the only legislation that defunds and disbands the IRS in its entirety.

It is time that Congress stop the perennial IRS theatrics – theatrics created by 74,608 pages of special interests driven tax code approved by Congress – and pass HR 25 / S 122.

Finally, Americans For Fair Taxation® is a key sponsor of the Western States Conservative Caucus in Phoenix, AZ onFebruary 22, 2014. Approximately 1,000 attendees will receive a FairTax lanyard, FairTax button, FairTax pocket card and FairTax briefing information in their registration packet. In addition, Neal Boortz will be a keynote speaker during the plenary session and will lead an exciting panel discussion, “The FairTax: An idea whose time has come,” which also features FairTax spokesperson Steve Hayes and retired AZ State Senator and longtime FairTax advocate Lori Klein.

Our AZ FairTax team, supported by grassroots FairTax leaders coming in from across the nation, will have a booth to share more information on the FairTax Plan with participants. This conference promises great educational opportunities for the FairTax. If you would like to join the FairTax team, you can register for the conference here.

I look forward to seeing you in Phoenix!

Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) calls for IRS Special Prosecutor

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“Please join me, Senator Ted Cruz and others in calling for the appointment of an independent special prosecutor to investigate the IRS’s illegal targeting of conservative groups,” begins a letter sent to members of the US House of Representatives by Congressman Bill Posey (R- FL District 8).

The Posey letter notes, “This past spring, we learned that the IRS used inappropriate criteria to review Tea Party and other organizations applying for tax-exempt status based upon their names and policy positions. We further learned that IRS employees illegally released donor lists of other conservative organizations.”

“As of today, not a single employee has been indicted for this offense, and the Wall Street Journal reported that the FBI does not plan to file any criminal charges. Furthermore, Ms. Lerner has invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and refused to answer questions,” states Posey.

Americans are growing more concerned about a bureaucrat “culture of arrogance”. Time and again the President has failed to take action against those found to have violated their duties. It is AG Holder who is accountable to the People’s House and the people. President Obama during the interview with Bill O’Reilly stated there is not a “smidgen” of corruption at the IRS. Attorney Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, said in public testimony that the IRS scandal goes “as high as it gets.” When O’Reilly asked the President why he has not fired HHS Secretary Sebelius the President stated, “I promise you we hold people up and down the line accountable.” Apparently this does not apply to the IRS, either.

Posey concludes his letter with:

An independent special prosecutor must therefore be appointed to oversee the IRS investigation. Such a prosecutor must be given the independence to follow the facts wherever they may lead. He or she must both prosecute any and all criminal conduct and report to Congress and the American people what occurred, why it occurred, who knew about it, and what can be done to ensure it never happens again. Furthermore, this special prosecutor must be someone whose integrity is beyond reproach – and at a minimum, he or she must not be a major financial donor to either Democratic or Republican Party campaigns. The IRS, or any other agency, must not be used for political purposes.

I therefore ask that you join me in demanding that an independent special prosecutor be appointed to investigate the IRS’s illegal targeting of conservative groups.

To date the following members of the US House of Representatives have co-signed the Posey letter:

Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Andy Barr (KY-06); Kerry Bentivolio (MI-11); Jim Bridenstine (OK-1); Mo Brooks (AL-05); Michael Burgess (TX-26); Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Howard Coble (NC-06); Ron DeSantis (FL-06); Jeff Duncan (SC-04); Blake Farenthold (TX-27); Steve Fincher (TN-08); John Fleming (LA-04); Trent Franks (AZ-08); Louie Gohmert (TX-01); Paul Gosar (AZ-04); Tim Huelskamp (KS-01); Walter B. Jones (NC-3); Steve King (IA-04); James Lankford (OK-05); Robert Latta (OH-5); Billy Long (MO-07); Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03); Thomas Massie (KY-04); Tom McClintock (CA-04); Mick Mulvaney (SC-05); Alan Nunnelee (MS-01); Mike Rogers (AL-03); Thomas Rooney (FL-17); Matthew Salmon (AZ-05); Jason Smith (MO-8);Randy Weber (TX-14); Ted Yoho (FL-03)

If your Congressman is not on the list you may want to ask him or her: Why?

To read the full text of the Posey letter click here.

EDITORS NOTE: Congressman Bill Posey represents Florida’s 8th Congressional District which encompasses all of Brevard and Indian River Counties, and a small portion of Orange County (Bithlo, Christmas and Wedgefield).  Posey, a Republican, was elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 and is currently serving his third term.

RELATED COLUMNS: ‘Caught Red-Handed’: Sekulow Details New ‘Smoking Gun’ IRS Emails (+video)

RELATED VIDEO: In a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee on January 28, 2014, Congressman Posey questions Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray about the lengthy amount of time it takes for the CFPB to answer simple questions from Members of Congress.

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Confirmed: The IRS Is Weaponized

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It’s official! A senior member of Congress has publicly said what FairTax® supporters have known for years: The IRS is the political weapon of choice for the ruling elite!

During a recent speech to the Center for American Progress, Senator Charles Schumer (NY) called on the Executive Branch of government to bypass Congress and use the IRS to ensure that certain conservative leaning non-profits are “weakened” and their funding “curtailed”. Why?

According to numerous media reports, Schumer stated, “It is clear that we will not pass anything legislatively as long as the House of Representatives is in Republican control, but there are many things that can be done administratively by the IRS and other government agencies—we must redouble those efforts immediately.”

This should strike fear in every single citizen, regardless of political ideology. 

Congressman Schumer’s agenda is to silence the Republican majority. During the 70’s, President Nixon’s agenda was to silence the then Democratic majority. And therein lies the problem.

When the ruling class uses the IRS and the tax code to silence dissenting opinion and to control legislative agendas, all Americans lose their voice, regardless of political affiliation. And, when the means of silence is utilizing an agency that historically incorporates fear, intimidation and imprisonment as a means of enforcement, the slippery slope has begun.

It’s now pretty clear why the requested investigation of IRS abuses of conservative leaning non-profits is not going anywhere. And probably won’t.

It’s probably also why, during the 2013 tax season, nearly 20 million taxpayer calls for assistance will go unanswered. That’s right – at a time when the tax code has blown up to nearly 100,000 pages and the Obamacare regulations are in effect – good luck getting your or your preparer’s call answered. And if the IRS does answer the phone, National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson indicated they will only answer basic questions until April — after that, you are totally on your own. Gee thanks.

Are you elderly, disabled or low income and do you use the IRS to help you prepare your return? Sorry Charlie. They don’t do that anymore either and if you write asking for assistance, don’t hold your breath for a response – only about half the letters they receive are going to get a written response.

One can only assume the IRS is too busy supporting various political agenda’s to focus on their core mission, which is “as…one of the world’s most efficient tax administrators…. To provide America’s taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and enforce the law with integrity and fairness to all.”

There is an answer to this problem.  The FairTax® Plan.

It is a simple and fair solution that is before the Committee on Ways and Means awaiting a vote. Your voice is needed now more than ever. HR 25 is a fair and simple tax replacement plan that replaces the current income tax code and abolishes the IRS.

No more unanswered IRS calls or mail, or worrying about how to prepare your tax return – there are no tax returns with the FairTax Plan. Under the FairTax your federal tax is paid each and every time you purchase new goods and services – at the cash register. And with the unique FairTax “Prebate”, your essential goods and services are always tax-free.

Don’t allow your voice to be silenced by a tax code that only allows the political agenda of the day. Contact your Representatives today, tomorrow and the next day. Call their Washington office. Call their district office.

And when Members of Congress are willing to stand tall for the FairTax, like Congressman Ander Crenshaw (FL-4) who recently released this message stating his continued support for the FairTax, take time to thank them for their support.

As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Finally, political commentator and former Washington Post editorialist Mark Shields lamented this week about the slow progress of tax reform in Congress.

FairTax Friday: “No idea of the [tax code] benefits”!

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It’s January and Americans are looking for receipts and lost documentation in their annual quest to prepare their yearly tax return. Arguments will ensure, relationships will sour and health will decline. Are you having fun yet?

Have you started dealing with the significant changes that went into effect for 2013? Not to worry though, National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson said, “The complexities of the tax code are only affecting those of us trying to read it. Tax software makes a lot of those complexities invisible to the average taxpayer.” I’m comforted, aren’t you?

She went on to say, “As a result, taxpayers might not realize they’re being helped by a wide array of deductions and credits. “They have no idea of the benefits they are getting through the tax code.”

Wow, now we are getting benefits from the tax code!

I’m continually amazed at the way Washington “spins” tax code changes. First, Congressional leaders point to the code’s growing complexity. Congress then passes changes (you’ll have to read the legislation to know what’s in it because they are too busy to read it themselves), followed by the executive branch spinning the “benefits”.

You know better, though, don’t you? After all, you are FairTax® smart. You know the only benefits in the tax code are those carved out by special interests. You know that taxpayers are always the perennial losers when it comes to America’s income tax code.

That’s why a group of dedicated FairTax supporters are on their way to Washington this weekend to meet with Members of Congress and their staff. For two days, they plan to further educate them about the benefits of HR 25, the FairTax Act of 2013.

That’s also why the Letters to the Editor/Opinion Editorial team, led by Glen Terrell, has redoubled their efforts in making sure that the FairTax message is spread far and wide in newspapers, magazines and bogs.

Members of the House Ways and Means Committee will soon vote on tax reform. We await their vote on HR 25. It is imperative that every member of Congress knows the magnitude of support the FairTax has across America.

Have you contacted your elected representatives to share with them where you stand on the FairTax? If so, did you only contact their Washington office?

We know that Member’s district directors (DD’s) also report on what issues constituents are contacting them about at the local level. Some DD’s have told us they rarely hear about the FairTax, yet we know you are contacting the Representative’s Washington office.

Have you gone on your Member’s Facebook page and weighed in on the “benefits” you derive from the tax code versus why you support the FairTax plan? Please take 5 extra minutes and call your Representative’s Washington and district offices.

An Open Letter To Ways And Means

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Welcome back to Washington and Happy New Year

As you return to the business of the House Committee on Ways and Means, you and your colleagues will, in many ways, determine the direction of our nation by the decisions you will soon make on fundamental tax reform.

You have a clear and distinct choice to make. You can continue to pander to the special interests that will forever hold you hostage to their gluttonous demands, or you can break from this insidious cycle and fully represent the will of the people who elected you.

If you choose to continue in the bondage of special interest slavery, the demands they exact will rise to levels that even you cannot imagine. Once the fatted calf becomes addicted to the feed trough, its’ appetite becomes insatiable.

Contrast this to the people who elected you who simply want to pay their fair share of taxes without the fear and intimidation of an agency that continues to be used as a political weapon.

Even the IRS’s own watchdog, Nina Olson, stated in her just published annual report, “Public trust in [IRS] fairness and impartiality was called into question because of reports the IRS subjected certain applicants for tax exempt status to greater review based on political-sounding games.”

Sadly, Olson’s only remedy is an IRS generated U.S. taxpayer Bill of Rights. By the way, didn’t you already try this in 1988 when Congress passed the first of three Taxpayer Bill of Rights?

To Olson’s suggestion, ladies and gentlemen, isn’t this a little like the fox guarding the hen house; just like the U.S. Justice Department appointing Barbara Bosserman to lead the IRS targeting investigation?

fox guards henhouse

Silly me, I am sure any individual who shelled out over $6,000 in donations to the Obama campaign will show total impartiality during a criminal probe involving conservative organizations.

The bottom line is this – the American people want a simple and fair system of taxation without all the drama, theatrics and corruption. They want the fox to leave the hen house and they want their representatives to put a stop to the longstanding reign of terror by the IRS.

The FairTax® Plan does this and more.

Reduced to its most basic terms, the FairTax eliminates taxes on wages while taxing wealth and borrowing when spent. It eliminates the income/payroll tax system and replaces it with a single rate tax on consumption.

More importantly, it is fair, simple and universal in application – no exceptions, no exclusions, and no more special interests feeding at the trough.  And, it fosters economic growth and efficiency while fully funding the government. 

You will soon have a decision to make on fundamental tax reform.

Option 1: You tinker with the current system, call it major reform and continue in the bondage of special interests.  With this option the American people continue as the losers.

Option 2: You represent the will of the people who elected you and enact HR 25, The FairTax Act, freeing them from the bondage of an out-of-control IRS and a gobbledygook tax code that is fast approaching 100,000 pages. With this option, the American people have a fair and simple tax code that also eliminates the yearly tax return nightmare that has already begun.

Which decision will you make? Perhaps you can draw inspiration from General Robert E. Lee who once said, “You have only always to do what is right. It will become easier by practice, and you enjoy in the midst of your trials the pleasure of an approving conscience.”

Your electorate awaits your decision. Remember, they too have decisions to make in November 2014.

Coalition formed to repeal the 16th Amendment

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A broad coalition of national organizations, hosted and managed by Competitive Governance Action, whose initial members include Americans For Fair Taxation®, Tea Party Patriots, Free Market America and Americans for Limited Government, announced a joint effort called “Repeal 16: A Coalition to Repeal the 16th Amendment.”

The coalition’s message to Washington lawmakers is straightforward: End the current corrupting tax system and the IRS.

Cynthia T. Canevaro, Executive Director Americans For Fair Taxation

Cynthia T. Canevaro, Executive Director, Americans For Fair Taxation, in an email states, “As FairTax supporters we know how the current tax code has corrupted our economy, our political system, small businesses and the livelihood of countless American citizens.  This summer’s scandalous revelations of IRS abuses are just the latest example of how the IRS, for 100 years, has systematically violated the fiduciary trust given to it by the American people.”

“Although there have been numerous hearings and calls for action, it has turned out to be much ado about nothing because the current tax code is, in reality, an incumbent Member’s delight.  Why? Because it enables the status quo to maintain complete control over you the taxpayer,” notes CGA.

According to CGA, “Repealing the 16th Amendment will allow citizens from all political perspectives to finally have an open, transparent and honest debate about comprehensive tax reform, without getting bogged down on which plan is best. Repeal 16 will finally give supporters of fundamental tax reform a neutral vehicle to address the most pressing issue of the day – eliminating the IRS and Repealing the 16th Amendment.”

Canevaro states, “While supporting the coalition, Americans For Fair Taxation will continue to proudly and aggressively advocate the FairTax Plan as the only viable choice for fundamental tax reform.  With a successful Repeal 16 campaign, we know the FairTax Plan will now be in a position to be the tax reform plan of choice for elected officials and the American people who want jobs and economic growth.”

A repeal petition has been posted at www.Repeal16.org for those who see the IRS and income tax as a a threat to American prosperity. The coalition’s initial goal is to recruit 10,000 Americans to sign the petition. “With Congress coming back into session this week, timing is of the essence”, notes Canevaro.

Canevaro, states, “We are excited about the opportunities the new Repeal 16 coalition will bring to the FairTax, and look forward to being on coalition team.”

ABOUT COMPETITIVE GOVERNANCE ACTION

Competitive Governance Action is a 501(C)(4) organization committed to education and advocacy to manifest the concept that problems should be solved by the smallest, least centralized, most local authority that may effectively address the matter. Central to the concept is the devolution of political power from the federal government to state and local governments, to individuals and to non-government community and religious institutions.

Florida Rep. Buchanan: “Heads Need to Roll” at the IRS

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, and the only member of the Florida delegation on the House Ways and Means Committee, today called on acting-IRS commissioner Steven Miller to immediately fire Lois Lerner, the senior IRS official who oversaw the intentional targeting of individuals because of their politics and criticism of the government.

“Heads need to roll today,” said Buchanan, Florida’s only member of the Ways & Means Committee which oversees the IRS. “Ms. Lois Lerner knew about this gross abuse of power as early as 2011 but continues to plead ignorance to this day. We don’t want apologies we want answers and accountability — and we can start by firing the person responsible for this gross abuse of power.”

On Friday, Lerner told reporters that she first learned of the IRS targeting of political groups from media reports. However, a draft report by the Treasury inspector general for tax administration confirms that Ms. Lerner was made aware that such political targeting had occurred on June 29, 2011. Ms. Lerner also tried to pin the blame on low-level workers. The Inspector General’s report confirms that senior IRS officials in Washington were made aware of the misconduct as early as August 2011.

“Our founding fathers would be rolling in their graves if they knew their government was targeting individuals based on their political beliefs and criticism of the government,” said Buchanan. “The American people need to know they can be critical of their government without fear of retribution.”

Buchanan issued a letter to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew on Monday demanding a full accounting from top to bottom of those responsible for the IRS’s gross abuse of power and what action is being taken to restore the public trust. The Ways & Means Committee will hold its first hearing on Friday to further investigate the matter.

Congressman Buchanan sent the letter below to Treasury Secretary Lew:

May 13, 2013

The Honorable Jacob Lew
Secretary of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20220

Dear Secretary Lew,

I share the outrage of millions of Americans at confirmed reports that the Internal Revenue Service has gone out of its way to intentionally target individuals and organizations whose politics are at odds with the Administration. The American people demand and deserve a full-accounting from top to bottom of those responsible for this gross abuse of power and what action is being taken to restore the public trust.

On March 22, 2012, as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee which oversees the IRS, we heard then-Commissioner Douglas Shulman clearly state that the IRS did not engage in the practices of which it is now accused saying “there is absolutely no targeting.” Yet, less than a year earlier, Commissioner Shulman’s own deputy, Lois Lerner, was made aware that such malpractice had indeed occurred. It became evident that groups with “tea party” or “patriot” in their names were extremely vulnerable to auditing harassment. Even nonprofit organizations that sought to educate Americans about the U.S. Constitution were unfairly singled out for scrutiny.

The nation’s trust in government was betrayed by this unconscionable behavior.

On behalf of my constituents, your immediate response is not only warranted but essential to clearing up a matter that would have our founding fathers rolling in their graves.

Sincerely,

Vern Buchanan
Member of Congress

Rubio introduces legislation to limit powers of IRS

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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today filed an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act to prevent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from abusing its powers to violate first amendment rights. Rubio will introduce identical legislation, the Taxpayer Nondiscrimination & Protection Act of 2013, in the Senate tomorrow. The legislation, introduced today in the House by Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH), provides for mandatory termination and criminal liability for Internal Revenue Service employees who willfully violate the constitutional rights of a taxpayer. The need for the legislation is demonstrated by current reports of the IRS deliberately targeting conservative organizations, and it expressly states that political speech and political expression are protected rights.

The legislation reads in part, “Whoever being an employee of the Internal Revenue Service, engages, during the performance of that employee’s official duties, in an act or omission described in section 1203(b) of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 shall be fined under this 8 title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.’’

“A government organization like the IRS discriminating against political organizations is an outrageous abuse of power, and the American people have every right to demand answers and accountability,” said Rubio. “Those responsible individuals should face all appropriate punishment available under current law, and all organizations and individuals who engage in political speech and expression should be protected against this kind of discriminatory behavior in the future. I commend Congressman Turner for championing this legislation in the House and hope our colleagues will join us in providing protections to deter this kind of governmental abuse from happening again.”

Earlier, Rubio sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to demand the resignation of the current IRS Commissioner. “The American people deserve answers about how such seemingly unconstitutional and potentially criminal behavior could occur, and who else was aware of it throughout the Administration,” Rubio wrote. “If investigations reveal that bureaucrats or political appointees engaged in unconstitutional or criminal targeting of conservative taxpayers, they must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

To view the legislation, click here.

Below is the full text of the letter:

May 13, 2013

The Honorable Jack Lew 
Secretary 
U.S. Department of the Treasury 
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 
Washington, D.C. 20220

Dear Secretary Lew:

Recent revelations about the Internal Revenue Service’s selective and deliberate targeting of conservative organizations are outrageous and seriously concerning. This years-long abuse of government power is an assault on the free speech rights of all Americans. This direct assault on our Constitution further justifies the American people’s distrust in government and its ability to properly implement our laws.

The American people deserve answers about how such seemingly unconstitutional and potentially criminal behavior could occur, and who else was aware of it throughout the Administration. It is imperative that you, your predecessor, and other past and present high-ranking officials at the Department of Treasury and IRS immediately testify before Congress.

The public expects your complete cooperation with both congressional investigations and potential criminal inquiries. If investigations reveal that bureaucrats or political appointees engaged in unconstitutional or criminal targeting of conservative taxpayers, they must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. At a bare minimum, those involved with this deeply offensive use of government power have committed a violation of the public trust that has already had a profoundly chilling effect on free speech. Such behavior cannot be excused with a simple apology.

Furthermore, it is clear the IRS cannot operate with even a shred of the American people’s confidence under the current leadership. Therefore, I strongly urge that you and President Obama demand the IRS Commissioner’s resignation, effectively immediately. No government agency that has behaved in such a manner can possibly instill any faith and respect from the American public.

Sincerely,

Marco Rubio

Rubio: IRS head must resign

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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today urged Treasury Secretary Jack Lew (pictured above) to demand the resignation of the current Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner, in light of reports about the agency’s deliberate targeting of conservative organizations.

“[I]t is clear the IRS cannot operate with even a shred of the American people’s confidence under the current leadership,” said Rubio in a letter to Lew. “I strongly urge that you and President Obama demand the IRS Commissioner’s resignation, effectively immediately. No government agency that has behaved in such a manner can possibly instill any faith and respect from the American public.”

Rubio also called on Lew to ensure the Treasury Department’s full cooperation with all investigations regarding this scandal now known as “IRSgate”.

“The American people deserve answers about how such seemingly unconstitutional and potentially criminal behavior could occur, and who else was aware of it throughout the Administration,” Rubio wrote. “If investigations reveal that bureaucrats or political appointees engaged in unconstitutional or criminal targeting of conservative taxpayers, they must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Below is the full text of the letter:

May 13, 2013
The Honorable Jack Lew
Secretary, U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20220

Dear Secretary Lew:

Recent revelations about the Internal Revenue Service’s selective and deliberate targeting of conservative organizations are outrageous and seriously concerning. This years-long abuse of government power is an assault on the free speech rights of all Americans. This direct assault on our Constitution further justifies the American people’s distrust in government and its ability to properly implement our laws.

The American people deserve answers about how such seemingly unconstitutional and potentially criminal behavior could occur, and who else was aware of it throughout the Administration. It is imperative that you, your predecessor, and other past and present high-ranking officials at the Department of Treasury and IRS immediately testify before Congress.

The public expects your complete cooperation with both congressional investigations and potential criminal inquiries. If investigations reveal that bureaucrats or political appointees engaged in unconstitutional or criminal targeting of conservative taxpayers, they must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. At a bare minimum, those involved with this deeply offensive use of government power have committed a violation of the public trust that has already had a profoundly chilling effect on free speech. Such behavior cannot be excused with a simple apology.

Furthermore, it is clear the IRS cannot operate with even a shred of the American people’s confidence under the current leadership. Therefore, I strongly urge that you and President Obama demand the IRS Commissioner’s resignation, effectively immediately. No government agency that has behaved in such a manner can possibly instill any faith and respect from the American public.

Sincerely,

Marco Rubio

Exposing Tax Filing Costs

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As part of National Taxpayer Burden Month, Watchdog Wire is presenting a series of interviews, columns and videos dealing with the current progressive income tax system. The current income tax was created 100 years ago with the passage of the Sixteen Amendment to the US Constitution.

As part of our National Tax Burden Month activities we are highlighting a series of videos produced by Kerry Bowers, the State Director for Nevada FairTax. For 13 years Bowers lived in Florida, the last 4 as the Panhandle Director for the Florida FairTax Educational Association.

According to the Fair Tax website:

The FairTax is a national sales tax that treats every person equally and allows American businesses to thrive, while generating the same tax revenue as the current four-million-word-plus word tax code. Under the FairTax, every person living in the United States pays a sales tax on purchases of new goods and services, excluding necessities due to the prebate. The FairTax rate after necessities is 23% and equal to the lowest current income tax bracket (15%) combined with employee payroll taxes (7.65%), both of which will be eliminated.

Bowers support to FFTEA and AFFT has been through legislative expertise specific to HR 25/S 122, computer presentations, and video productions. The following is a video presentation exposing the true tax filing costs born by every taxpayer.

To video more video presentations by Kerry Bowers go to his YouTube Channel.

RELATED COLUMNS:

When is your tax freedom day?

VIDEO: Buchanan Tax Reform panel raises disturbing future without major changes

Disclaimer: The author is on the Board of Directors of the Florida FairTax Educational Association