Tom Udall's involvement in IRS targeting of Tea Party groups

So the IRS is targeting Tea Party Groups.  Is this the sign of a conspiracy by President Obama and the Democrats to Evoke the Ghost of Nixon or an innocent action by a few misguided IRS investigators?  As the 8-ball would say, signs point to yes.  It turns out that several Senators, including our beloved Tom Udall (not) sent a letter to the IRS(See it here) commissioner in Cincinnati to vet these awful Tea Party types.  The fact that the letter was signed by Udall and some of the most liberal of the Democratic Senate says everything.  Udall does not represent the majority of New Mexicans.  He has traded on the name reputation of his father, Stewart Udall, a reasoned and respected Arizona Politician.  This attempt to stifle Political opposition makes him an enemy of all New Mexicans, Liberals and Conservatives alike.  This letter is the equivalent of a letter to the IRS praising the efforts of the Nixon Whitehouse to audit his so-called enemies.
Let's clear up a few things first.  The IRS was investigating the bonifides of organizations with the name "Tea Party" or "Patriot" in their name as 501 C 4 organizations.  True, 501 C 4 organizations require that the organization be primarily a "Social Welfare" organization, not a political advocacy group.  An organization for political advocacy is covered under non-profit status as a 527 organization.  What's the difference?  Both are non-profit, both can receive donations but the donations are not tax-deductible; the 527 organizations (like political parities and PACs) must disclose their donors while social welfare organizations (501 C 4) organizations do not.  Is this a big deal?  Udall thought so in February of 2012.

If you donate less than $5000 to a 501 C 4 organization, it is not deductible but neither does your name have to be disclosed on the IRS form 990.  This can be a serious wet blanket on contributions.  People who contribute to 501 C 4 organizations may feel uncomfortable contributing to PACs since their political disposition is available to everyone in the world.  A contribution to a pro-Obama PAC,  Priorities USA Action, is public but a contribution to the pro-Obama 501 C 4 organization, Priorities USA, is not.  A $4,999 contribution to Priorities USA can shield your identity.  Is this a big deal?  Ask yourself if your boss or your boss's boss's politics would approve of your contribution.  The fact that the majority of 501 C 4 organizations were Tea Party or Patriot organizations may be a coincidence;  you know, like tides are coincidental.

So we have Tom Udall, liberal extraordinaire, voting for magazine restrictions to advance the Schumer-Feinstein gun restrictions, also encouraging IRS meddling in your contributions to the organization of your choice.  This guy needs to go in 2014.


Udall Letter requesting IRS scrutiny of political opposition http://www.independentsector.org/uploads/Policy_PDFs/LettertoIRS501c4s_021612.pdf

March 2012 article by liberal reporter on IRS intervention on Tea Party http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/08/irs-political-groups-501c4-_n_1333389.html