Thursday December 27, 2012, 5:36 pm
As we have repeatedly documented, corporations are using tax-exempt “social welfare” groups – known under the tax code as 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) organizations – as conduits to secretly influence our political system without any accountability. Under current law, engaging in political activity cannot be the primary purpose of these groups, which is generally assumed to involve spending less than 50 percent of their budgets.

These organizations should still be permitted to engage in lobbying, education, and grassroots activity, but it’s high time to draw a clear line between political and policy-related activities. If organizations or their funders want to participate in political activity, they should do so out in the open through bona fide political entities that are required to disclose their donors and expenditures.

2012 Post-Election Analysis and "Awards"
CHGO Hit & Run: How one non-profit spent millions, broke the law, then disappeared
A Call For Increased Disclosure of Political Spending by Insurance Companies
BLOG: End Secret Spending by Tax-Exempt Groups
CREW Statement on the Reversal of the Montana Supreme Court Decision
We've Asked the IRS to Investigate American Future Fund
A Florida Woman is Buying Elections in the Northeast
CREW Exposes the Roots of Shadowy Group
Super PACS Are Just Getting Started
Billionaire Harold Simmons Donations Go Beyond Super PACS
IRS and Federal Election Commission Complaints Filed Against American Action Network

Read more >{links to the above stories at the ste)

Friday December 28, 2012, 2:17 am
Tried to send you a green star for this JLA - forgetting I had just sent one - but this appalling article is well worth reading and definitely deserves further investigation!

Friday December 28, 2012, 5:54 am
Sorry - I misphrased that - 'this excellent article giving appalling news' is more how I should have phrased it - and it is still worth reading!

Friday December 28, 2012, 8:09 am
Thank you JLA and we understand Pat A. Super pacs frequently set up illegal charities.

Friday December 28, 2012, 11:50 am
I have said this before and I will say this again. Any entity with a 501 status that in any way influence or involves itself in politics or the political process should have their tax exempt status revoked. That goes for unions too.

Friday December 28, 2012, 4:03 pm
You cannot currently send a star to Pat because you have done so within the last week.
You cannot currently send a star to Gloria because you have done so within the last week.
You cannot currently send a star to Michael because you have done so within the last week.