The GOP's Greatest Fear

Three months ago, I wrote an article for the Shepherd Express which took a look at the right wing "news media sources" like MacIver Institute, Wisconsin Reporter and Media Trackers and whether these groups have violated the law. I also pointed out to a complaint that had been filed against them for violating their tax exempt status by actively advocating for politicians like Scott Walker:

These connections raise questions about potential coordination between Walker's campaign and these third party groups, which is illegal. Even the controversial Citizens United ruling does not provide coverage for this sort of activity, according to the Alliance for Justice:

"The decision does not change the electoral activities permitted by 501(c)(3)s. Regardless of the changes Citizens United made to election law, federal tax law still absolutely prohibits 501(c)(3)s from supporting or opposing candidates for public office. 501(c)(3)s cannot endorse candidates or make independent expenditures suggesting who is the 'better' candidate without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status."

In March, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign (WDC) announced that it had filed a complaint with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service against the MacIver Institute, the Heartland Institute and Americans for Prosperity (AFP), another group that has received funding from the Koch brothers and the Bradley Foundation. In its complaint, WDC accuses AFP and MacIver of violating their 501(c)(3) status by creating their "It's Working Wisconsin" project, which spent $1.2 million on advertising alone, urging people not to sign the recall petitions. In addition, WDC accused these groups of holding public meetings and other activities to try to influence the outcome of the recalls. WDC also alleged that the Chicago-based Heartland Institute's planned "Operation Angry Badger"—a public relations effort to support Walker in the recall—would violate the group's tax-exempt status.

The game continues, but now on a national level. The Koch Brothers, founders and financiers of the above-named propagandist groups, have pledged $100 million to buy the White House. Likewise, billionaire Sheldon Adelson and his wife have pledged unlimited millions of dollars to defeat President Obama. Likewise, thanks to Citizens United, there are countless businesses that are willing to put their money into the pool to help buy the White House.

But businesses don't like to do this openly, so they use front groups like Americans for Prosperity, Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity and all their subsidiary groups. And now there are also groups like Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS, that allow all these businesses and uber-wealthy donate without fear of repercussions since they can do so anonymously.

To put some balance back into the electoral system, the Disclose Act was introduced. The Disclose Act would close this loophole and require that these donations, which are used for political purposes, be made public information.

And this has the Republicans and their corporate overlords scared as hell. Like cockroaches and earwigs, they hate to have their activities exposed in the light of day and go scurrying for cover whenever anyone shines a light in their direction.

US Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) has resorted to the fear and smear tactics favored by Republicans and their sponsors by penning a piece with the hyperbolic, histrionic and utterly false accusations that Obama would use this information to "punish" his critics and those who support his opponent. (News flash for McConnell, it's the Republicans like Scott Walker who does that kind of crap.)

The New York Times calls McConnell out on his selective outrage and points out that McConnell has also added to his enemies list, including bloggers of all people:

In a related speech last month, Mr. McConnell said disclosure was an enormous price. Bloggers and cable television hosts have said terrible things about the president’s critics, he said, as if revealing a crime. The Koch brothers, who have pledged $60 million to defeat President Obama, have received some obscene messages, and have even been criticized directly by the president. The obscenity was unfortunate, but did the Kochs really believe they could use their money to dominate the political system and not receive some push-back?

Mr. McConnell’s charge that the president has loosed the Internal Revenue Service on his enemies is breathtaking. After several years of indifference, the I.R.S. is finally examining whether these “social welfare” groups are abusing their tax-exempt status by spending anonymous donations on political attack ads. The senator compares them to the N.A.A.C.P., but Crossroads GPS and the like exist for no other purpose than to run political ads.

That is a clear violation of the tax code, which says political activity cannot be their primary purpose. The I.R.S. is doing its job, at long last, and that’s what has Republican leaders like Mr. McConnell so worried.

What is really remarkable to me is this: If the Republicans' agenda was so good for the country and for the people, why do they have to resort to such dishonest and secretive tactics?  You think they would want to proudly show that they support something that is supposed to be so good for the people.

I mean, just look at Scott Walker's accomplishments.  In just eighteen months, he's put their plan into place and we now have less jobs than when he took over, our taxes are going up, our public safety is going down, our environment is in danger and we have lost more rights than I care to think about right now.

So why are his corporate backers afraid to go in front of the people and accept full responsibility for the results of their buying the governorship for Walker?  Why are they afraid to openly support buying the White House for Mitt Romney?

Do you suppose they might be lying about exactly who benefits from their agenda and what those benefits will cost the rest of us?

Regardless of their reason or reasons, it's time we turn the lights on them and keep them on.