OBAMA HASN'T LEARNED FROM THE PAST; OR HAS HE...

Op Ed contributed by - Phil Moffett

Obama administration is using 1950’s tactics against the Tea Party and 9/12 groups today.

In the 1950’s Alabama ’s Attorney General demanded the names and addresses of all NAACP members and agents in the state before Alabama would recognize them as a legal entity. As a legal entity the NAACP could raise money, better organize, and grow.
We all know why the request was made; Alabama ’s political establishment was afraid Americans of African descent would grow politically powerful and upset their racist applecart. They wanted to intimidate citizens from freely assembling, from exercising free speech, from exercising their 1st Amendment Rights.

1958 the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 9-0 against Alabama .

Looking back from today’s perspective, the court’s ruling was a no-brainer. How in the world could the politically powerful believe they could use instruments of government to suppress American citizens from exercising their constitutional rights?

Unfortunately in 2012 the Obama administration is at it again.

In the past couple of years, over one hundred Liberty groups filed for legal standing under Chapter 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Prior to granting legal status, the IRS is demanding information very similar to Alabama ’s unconstitutional request some sixty years ago. They want private, personal information on all members, volunteers, and speakers that have addressed the groups. The IRS wants transcripts of all speeches and copies of all correspondence between every member and volunteer. They want to know if any member or volunteer is related to a politician and whether anyone they know is considering running for public office.

Obama administration has turned back the clock to the 1950’s. Effectively these Liberty groups are under investigation by the IRS without being accused of any violation of law or regulation just like the NAACP during their fight for liberty. The IRS is denying these groups Due Process Rights guaranteed under the 14th Amendment.

We all know why these requests are being made. The Obama administration is very aware of their voices and clearly desires to silence them. They fear Liberty groups, like Tea Party and 9/12 groups. These groups are organizing and raising money to educate and advocate for smaller, fiscally-responsible government, existing within the constraints defined in the U.S. Constitution.

The federal government, through the IRS, is trying to intimidate citizens from freely assembling, from exercising free speech, from exercising 1st Amendment Rights. Government intimidation and tyranny must fail.

This is not a politically-partisan issue. If the federal government can take rights from Liberty-minded groups, they can take them from any group. We need Congress to intervene; to hold hearings. Most importantly, we as free people must stand up to protect our liberties so America can remain the best place to live in the world.


Phil is a successful business man in Louisville, KY, a prior Director for policy think tank, and former Republican Candidate for Governor of Kentucky.