This morning, several commentators noted that pressure from the administration caused initial televising of the House hearing on IRS targeting of conservative groups to be held on a Friday, normally the least viewed news day of the week. The obvious objective being minimizing exposure of any highly damaging revelations.
For the most part, key witness Steven Miller, who resigned Wednesday as the agency’s acting commissioner, offered very few specifics during questioning. His general position was that nothing was ever purposefully done for political purposes, and that what may appear to be targeting of administration foes was simply coincidence and perhaps mismanagement of an overworked staff.
J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, went a bit further, saying “his findings raised "troubling questions.” But, he too claimed that some of the wrongdoing was apparently done with no-to-little supervision.
Nonetheless, he also stated that all three allegations against the agency turned out to be true, whereas: "It was using "inappropriate criteria" to screen conservative groups, it was delaying applications and it was asking unnecessary questions.” However, he took the position that his job was to only determine the facts involved, and that others were responsible for whatever actually took place, which had nothing to do with him.
In summary, while the foundation for further congressional investigation was laid, no real bombshells were dropped, but the reason for that may make very good sense, as explained by a few observing pundits. Their general consensus was that the two witnesses called, as well as many others to come, have “lawyered up” and under advice of counsel will only answer in broad terms at this juncture until specifically subpoenaed at which time they’ll get their attorney’s involved to protect them.
In the meantime though, two other aspects of the situation came to light that I found of interest.
Congress members on both sides of the aisle seemed equally upset, because this is a horrific tactic that could be employed by whoever’s in the White House. And for Democrats that means, next time around a Republican president might decide to use the extensive, far-reaching power of the IRS against any, or all, of them. Therefore, they want this practice permanently ended now, before it comes back to bite them too.
The next item concerns Sarah Hall Ingram, commissioner of the office responsible for tax-exempt organizations between 2009 and 2012, when all the abuses of power took place.
But presently, having left that position, she’s been rewarded with the post of director of the IRS’ Affordable Care Act office which means she’ll still have influence over just about every taxpayer In the nation while facing no penalty at all for the misdeeds she perpetrated before.
So, summing this all up, here we have another case where the administration’s been exposed as heavy-handed thugs disguised as politicians. And yet, true to their belief that they can use muscle, threats and force to overcome and control opposition, instead of trying to find some beneficial solution for all, they seek to increase their strength and power some more.
Nonetheless, despite the administration's attempts to bring Chicago criminality to the national level, utilization of the IRS is another short-term success but long range significant mistake. Because in this one, just like Benghazi, Boston and the health care tax fiasco, Democrats are suffering greatly too from the growing public backlash.
And that means, while at the moment, the incumbent may be circling the wagons in defense, pretty soon he’ll likely wind up pretty much by himself on a horse wondering if there’s anywhere still friendly to go.
That's all for today folks.
Adios
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