I am both sick to my stomach and outraged, for different reasons. Going through last week's mail yesterday, I received a letter from The Heritage Foundation. I refer to seven pages of the worst partisan Republican bullshit, all of which I will reproduce below. Although that is not what made me sick or outraged. That just made me angry. The reason I got this bullshit personally addressed to me, which I will confess first below the fold, is what made me sick to my stomach.
More importantly, what outraged me and motivated me to write a diary, is what outraged me: Following these seven pages consisting purely of the most partisan "conservative" talking point lies and bashing of the Obama Administration, "Far-left Liberalism", "the Progressive agenda" and "The Left" generally, was a contribution form, which I expected, but what I did not expect was that it saying that donations are tax-deductible. Say what?! No, seriuosly, WTF?!?!
[I started this diary over the weekend and just jumped on-line to try to get it done before work (for which I am now late), so sorry if it is not much of a diary.]
I turned the form over and there it says it:
We have a 501(c)(3) classifiction from the Internal Revenue Service.
Really? 501(c)(3)? A foundation organized and operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes? The hell they are. All these years of knowing them as a partisan bullshit factory, I had no idea fat cat Republicans were taking tax deductions for contributions supporting them. Now, I figured diaries have been written before about this general topic, and I searched, and yes as recently as December one was specifically addressed the Heritage Foundation -- Why Is the Heritage Foundation Tax Exempt? by penmightier2 -- which was short, and just the question really, with a few comments that contained the answer I expected -- in short, 501(c)(3) has been interpreted more and more broadly over the years and liberals take advantage of it too (one commenter there equates Media Matters as an example), so apparently no one challenges it.
So I apologize if I am breaking any rules, but below I intend to reproduce both Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and this 7 page partisan letter I got today, because I have to get this off my chest - there is no way the Foundation that sent the latter fits within the former. Maybe there is some liberal think tank/conservative think tank detente, and maybe these organizations could not get funded without the deduction, but there is something wrong here. Strike that, there is a lot wrong with this. This is not what Media Matters does. Of all the Democrat and OFA mail and email (dear god, the OFA email kills a lot of data trees), I do not remember something this partisan...and tax deductible. Sorry too about the profane title, but that is how I feel.
First, though, my confession -- the reason getting this in the mail made me sick to my stomach: I think it means I already donated to them, or they bought my name and address from some right wing candidate to whom I donated. Talk about "WTF", I know. I work for a firm that occasionally makes political donations over which I have very little control, and which, because it is a "partnership", has donations actually made in the names of all the partners, pro rata. So I get mail occasionally from the random political candidate from another of our offices' district or state, and since Republicans outnumber Democrats probably 3 to 1 in the firm and 3 to 0 in management, the wingnut mail outpaces the sane mail about 9 to 1. The good news is in 2008 I stood up, stuck my neck out, and got them to donate $2000 to the Obama campaign when I realized they were giving McCain $2000 (of which my pro rata share was probably a few bucks). I have been told I was crazy, and not to ask for the list of political donations. I know I cannot afford to risk doing anything about the donations, and I am not going to get into why, so save the judgments, or don't, I don't care.
So now to the point. 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3) (thanks Cornell) states as follows:
(3) Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in subsection (h)), and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.
Moreover, the IRS website explains:
To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.
Now, let's get to that letter. I do not see how the below can possibly be a 501(c)(3)'s letter. With some outright lies, it is 100% purely partisan and aimed at removing democrats from offices and power this fall, and removing the President in 2012. Like I said, its long, but I am reproducing it all (with xxx-out of my name and address) as evidence. Sorry about the formatting issues:
Edwin J. Feulner, Ph.D.
LEADERSHIP FOR AMERICA
President
April 12, 2010
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dear Fellow American:
America's founding spirit and intent have come under devastating attack and urgent!} require a. firm and forceful defense.
Far-left liberalism has resurged in a new guise and the stakes are higher than ever. We conservatives are now engaged in a new kind of battle on brand new ground.
It's a battle for our nation's very soul.
We did not seek this conflict... but President Obama's radical ambitions have left us no choice but to fight it.
It is absolutely imperative that you and I and every other American who wants to preserve our free market economy realize the extent of the obstacles we face... and takes action to make our voices heard.
Here at The Heritage Foundation. America's leading conservative organization, we are raising our voice loud and clear against today's radical and destructive government policies. / hope you will decide to join us today... because the urgency is clear.
As you know, 2009 brought the most massive growth of government in American history. A new era of federal bailouts, nationalized industries, and stifling tax burdens has fallen upon us.
Through both their words and their deeds, the Obama Administration has made it clear that not only is government the definitive solution - they see freedom itself as the problem.
Following the Progressive agenda set by Woodrow Wilson then pursued by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Obama views the American founding as "deeply flawed" and the Constitution irrelevant to meeting today's societal demands.
Historically every wave of progressivism has had a leader - a so-called visionary! - and every leader has had his own vision of what "progress" would entail. Obama's vision is crystal clear, and he has openly articulated on countless occasions: "The remaking of America."
214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE • Washington, DC 20002 • (800) 546-2843 • MyHeritage.org
.
Page Two
Rather than opting to defend the American way of life, Obama is busy trying to "remake
America" into a land where free enterprise gives way to a long-discredited system of
"spreading the wealth"...
...where equality of opportunity is replaced by equality of outcome
... where even our health care is a government-controlled "right" to be administered by
unelected bureaucrats.
The Left would have us forget our history so that they can dictate our future. Only then could they truly "remake" the country into the European-style socialist state they so desperately crave.
That is why, with so-called "progress" on their mind, Obama and his allies in Congress have launched their unprecedented attack on the founding principles of our nation.
Let there be no mistake: the United States is at a crossroads. The future of America's course and character is being determined right now.
The good news is that we conservatives have the right ideas and the past 233 years of history to support them.
The bad news is for the Left: They may currently have the power, but Americans have the common sense to see where we are heading and the voice with which to object. And that is what we have done!
As long as any government seeks to expand and dominate a free society, there will be people who resist. And we stand with them, wherever they struggle.
The grassroots eruption of ordinary American citizens over the past year is something that none of us have seen before in our lifetime.
It arose after those in charge of government set out to remake an America that, at its core, loves and respects its traditions and everything that it has stood for. America does not wish to be remade.
By their own will and on their own dime, millions of people have assembled across our country to tell Washington that the federal government has become too big, too wasteful, and too interfering in our lives.
We've seen that in the Taxpayer Tea Party protests... at the town hall meetings where citizens confronted their elected representatives face to face... at the massive march on the nation's capital.
The Left has pushed their radical agenda and Americans are pushing back! Still, our mission to rescue America is far from over. It is only beginning.
Page Three
Waging a successful counter-revolution against the Left's attack on our nation's first principles will require the promotion of stronger ideas and the right means to convey them.
That's where we at The Heritage Foundation come in.
At a time when Americans are shouting out that they can no longer depend on this federal government to preserve the most awesome experiment in human liberty, The Heritage Foundation stands as the alternative.
We are now freedom's most important advocate here in Washington. And through our Leadership for America campaign, The Heritage Foundation will restore the timeless principles enshrined in our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution to their rightful place in the policies that affect our nation.
This country will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. And it is the responsibility of The Heritage Foundation to make sure that every brave citizen has at his and her disposal the right tools and ideas necessary to win our unending fight for freedom.
Those citizen protests remind us that out there in the "real world," away from the halls of power and influence in Washington, folks still want to preserve those things that make America special. And it reminds me that people are still willing to fight for what they believe in.
/ hope you'll be one of those people, by joining our fight today.
^ Now is the time for you and me and other Americans who are upset by this wholesale abandonment of our nation's fundamental principles to challenge this expansion of government power and make the case for economically sound, truly conservative policies.
^> Now is the time for those of us who love our country and want to preserve its heritage of liberty to come together and speak out against the ruinous changes being pushed by today's leaders.
We can do that through supporting The Heritage Foundation.
The Heritage Foundation is America's leading voice for conservative policy ideas. We are the place where conservatives of all stripes - economic conservatives, social conservatives, foreign policy conservatives - come together to fight for freedom.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney recently told a Heritage Foundation gathering:
"Presidents will come and go, but there will always be a Heritage Foundation."
For more than 37 years now, we've stood up for the ideas that make this country great -pushing for lower taxes, less government, more individual liberty, and stronger foreign and defense policies.
Page Four
^ Today, more than 240 policy experts, marketing professionals and media teams are hard at work at Heritage, laying out plans and ideas that government leaders would do well to follow.
^* And we are a constant voice for freedom in the news media and online. On a typical day, Heritage analysts appear more than ten times on leading TV, radio and print media, from FOX News and CNN to Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly.
^ We publish more than 1,000 hard-hitting and insightful studies each year, which we then distribute to key leaders in Washington.
^ We've stood alongside great leaders like President Ronald Reagan and the "Contract With America"-era leaders of Congress, and helped provide the ideas they used to successfully challenge the Big Government consensus that had dominated politics since the days of the New Deal and continue to do so.
We have continued our promotional partnerships with Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. Both of these conservative radio titans regularly use Heritage Foundation research, and now they're helping steer their millions of listeners to a website called AskHeritage.org, where they can explore conservative policy ideas and even join you in supporting Heritage.
All this time, we've made strong and persuasive cases against politicians from both parties who want to raise taxes, increase government, and take away our freedoms.
This was the case under President Clinton, as we led the fight against his plan to socialize medicine, and again as the financial crisis took hold last year and the excessive turn to trillion-dollar bailouts and near-socialism began.
I'm proud to have helped found The Heritage Foundation back in 1973, and to have been its President for over three decades. I've seen some challenging times since then. But this is no doubt the most profoundly threatening time for our liberties I've yet seen.
That's why I'm writing to ask for your support today.
I know you are probably one of those Americans who is fed up with the self-serving behavior of our political class, and who is angered by the sheer radicalism of today's government.
Believe me, you're not alone. And by joining The Heritage Foundation and over 610,000 other Members from across the country, you'll become part of the nation's largest and most active group of conservative citizens.
You'll become part of the solution, able to make a strong case against this reckless embrace of Big Government, and for a return to fiscal sanity.
Here at Heritage, we have a three-pronged attack to deal with the current onslaught of Big Government liberal ideas. You can help us at every step of the way.
^* First, we are pointing out the flaws in these plans, and rallying opposition to them. This is the leading part of our job right now, since the flaws are so plentiful and so fraught with peril for the future of our nation.
Page Five
^> Next, we are making a positive case for better ideas that could be implemented right away, no matter which party is in power.
^ And for the longer term, we are laying out a full agenda for conservatives to retake the initiative and point the way toward a better, freer America.
Right now, the task before us is to limit the damage done by these Big Government boondoggles... to help policymakers of all viewpoints see what harm these plans will do to the country's future.
Today's liberal leadership looks back with admiration at the days of the New Deal, and eagerly seeks to create their own version of the New Deal today, to further aggrandize their power.
Yet it is clear to many historians today that the New Deal did not end the Depression - and indeed may have prolonged it. It's also clear that the New Deal set us on a path away from our limited government heritage and towards a more powerful State our Founding Fathers would scarcely even recognize.
We have the benefit of more than 70 years' hindsight to see that the New Deal failed to save our economy, and instead created huge and expensive bureaucracies. Yet that doesn't stop today's liberal leaders from following eagerly in those well-trod footsteps.
It won't take long before the many flaws in this massive turn to Big Government become clear. Indeed, that's already happening, as all the stimulus spending and big spending boondoggles have utterly failed to deliver the benefits Americans were promised.
Once more policymakers realize the errors of their ways, we 'II be there to offer a helping hand. We don't care which politician ends up taking our ideas... we just want to do the right thing to help our country get back on its feet, not fall further into a spiral of debt and dependence.
But while we look ahead to such opportunities, we also know that we have a duty to future generations... a duty to preserve and protect the fundamental principles of this country before they are swept away in a tide of government growth.
We also know that the politicians have failed us far too many times. We conservatives keep waiting on "the next Reagan" to point us out of the political and policy wilderness. But we're disappointed time and time again.
That's why we at The Heritage Foundation have decided to take matters into our own hands, and begin leading the way forward for conservatives.
With our Leadership for America campaign, we are setting a conservative agenda on the full range of policy issues, from solving the current economic crisis, to reforming the tax code, to repealing ObamaCare, to setting strong foreign and defense policies, to shoring up our cultural values.
Leadership for America is a ten-year campaign that aims to create an America that is once again animated by its First Principles.
Page Six
^ One that is strong, safe, and that upholds timeless moral values.
^> One with a robust economy that rewards hard work.
^ One that allows freedom of choice in schools and in health care policy.
^ One where the family is restored to its primary role in civil society.
There are no permanent victories in Washington... but there are no permanent defeats either. Conservatives will be back in power one day... maybe sooner than we think.
When that day comes, it is essential that they have a full arsenal of ideas with which to roll back this latest advance of Big Government, and to reestablish a faith in conservative ideas among the American people. More importantly, these ideas will make it possible for our nation to regain its economic vitality and its hope for the future.
At a time when our economy is struggling and our ideas are under fire - when all of our futures are endangered by the disastrous policy ideas coming out of Washington, DC - it is clearer than ever before that we conservatives must stand up and make our voices heard.
That's what Heritage is doing, as the center of intellectual opposition to Big Government liberalism. And that's what you can do by joining our efforts today. Right now, there are over 610,000 Heritage Members across the nation, supporting our work and helping spread our conservative message.
Our goal is to reach 1 million Heritage Members, a goal that we can reach the more people realize the true nature of the destructive policies being touted by our nation's leaders.
With that many dedicated conservatives speaking out alongside us, Heritage would be not only a source of great ideas... but also a force to be reckoned with at the grassroots level.
America is now suffering from the most leftist leadership it has ever seen. Like a disease, the symptoms are worsening as time goes by.
Our national identity as the beacon of liberty and hope is dimming toward a flicker. Our Shining City on a Hill is caught in a fog.
President Obama and other leaders in government are not curing this condition. They are encouraging it.
But hope is not lost!
We have it in our power to turn this new liberal era into a brief, lamentable moment. That mission depends on the strength of The Heritage Foundation and all those who support us.
We rely on the generosity and the personal involvement of individuals just like you, who care about conservative principles and want to build a better future for your children and grandchildren.
Page Seven
Your tax-deductible gift of $100, $500, $1,000, perhaps even $10,000 would enable The Heritage Foundation to strengthen its voice as the center of conservative alternatives to Big Government.
Will you send such a gift right away?
^ Your gift of $100 would make you a Heritage Congress and Culture Watchers Club Member. and make you eligible to receive a full array of membership benefits, including frequent policy updates, quarterly Members' only teleconferences, as well as access to Heritage's Members' web site.
^ Your gift of $1,000 would make you a Heritage President's Club Member. In addition to the benefits above, you'd be invited to some of the most well-attended and influential gatherings in Washington.
Twice yearly, President's Club members gather to hear from speakers such as Lady Margaret Thatcher, Vice President Dick Cheney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, my good friend Rush Limbaugh, and so many more. We'd love to have you as part of this great group.
^ And your gift of $10,000 would make you a Heritage Associate, among the most generous supporters of Heritage's work. In addition to the President's Club membership benefits, Associates are asked to join us at our exclusive Annual Leadership Conference and Board Meeting.
/ hope you'll let me hear from you as soon as you possibly can. The threats our liberties face today are the most serious in our nation's history, and your support can help us fight back most effectively.
Sincerely,
Edwin J. Feulner, Ph.D. President
P.S. I've been working to advance conservative ideas for nearly four decades now. I've seen a lot of dreadful things happen in Washington over that time - but never anything as destructive and as costly as the policies of the Obama Administration. They want to "remake America" and wholly change the things that make us great and free.
Here at The Heritage Foundation, we are fighting back. We are standing up against those who want to make us more dependent on government, and promoting ideas that can make a positive difference today and for generations to come. Your involvement in our fight is essential, and I hope you 'II decide to join us right away.
Then of course, the contribution page ($10K anyone?):
LEADERSHIP FOR AMERICA
Help Fight Back Against Big Government
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
To: Edwin J. Feulner, Ph.D. President
c/o The Heritage Foundation 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002
Dear Ed,
O Yes, I too am alarmed by the excessive growth of government we' ve seen of late, and want to do all I can to fight back. Enclosed is my gift to help The Heritage Foundation most effectively challenge Big Government ideas, and lead the way forward for America's conservatives.
G My tax-deductible contribution is enclosed, in the amount of:
G $100 to become a Congress and Culture Watchers Club Member. Please keep
me up-to-date on Heritage's influential dealings with Congress, the White House, and the media.
G $1,000 to become a President's Club Member. In addition to the benefits above, please invite me to your special President's Club Meetings in Washington, D.C.
G $10.000 to become a Heritage Associate. In addition to the benefits above,
please also invite me to the exclusive Heritage Annual Leadership Conference and Board Meeting.
G Other:$ a $250 G $500
G My check is enclosed, payable to The Heritage Foundation.
G Please charge my: U Visa LJ MasterCard U American Express G Discover
Card Number: Exp:
Signature: Amount:
The Heritage Foundation '214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE • Washington, DC 20002 • (800) 546-2843 • MyHeritage.org
Then I saw the back of the contribution page:
The Heritage Foundation was incorporated in the District of Columbia on February 16, 1973 and the principal place of business is Washington, D. C. Our phone number is 202-546-4400. We have a 501(c)(3) classification from the Internal Revenue Service. The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute-a think tank-whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. Heritage's staff pursues this mission by performing timely accurate research addressing key policy issues and effectively marketing these findings to its primary audiences: members of Congress, key congressional staff members, policymakers in the executive branch, the nation's news media and the academic and policy communities. Heritage's products include publications, articles, lectures, conferences, and meetings.
Residents of the following states may request financial statements and other information from the offices indicated (the toll free numbers are for use only within the respective states). Arizona: Financial information filed with the Secretary of State is available for public inspection or by calling toll free 1-800-458-5842. Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 1-800-435-7352, TOLL FREE, WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Illinois: This mailing was prepared by a professional fund raiser. Contracts and reports regarding The Heritage Foundation are on file with the Illinois Attorney General. Kansas: The Kansas registration number is 710-874-9 SF. The annual financial report for the preceding fiscal year is on file with the Secretary of State. Maryland: Copies of documents and information submitted by The Heritage Foundation are available from the Office of the Secretary of State, Statehouse, Annapolis, MD 21401, 1-800-825-4510. Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of The Heritage Foundation may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State's office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement by the Secretary of State. New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 973-504-6215. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT. New York: New York residents may obtain a copy of our annual report by writing to the Office of Charities Registration, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. North Carolina: FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION AND A COPY OF ITS LICENSE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE LICENSING BRANCH AT 919-807-2214. THE LICENSE IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE STATE. Pennsylvania: A copy of the official registration and financial information of The Heritage Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Virginia: Commonwealth of Virginia, State Office of Consumer Affairs, PO Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23208,804-786-1343. Washington: Currently registered with the Washington State secretary of state as required by law. Registration number HEF 093232. West Virginia: Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305, 304-558-8000. Registration does not imply endorsement. For copies of current financial statements you may send a written request to the address listed above or call the Secretary of State directly at the number listed above.
Myheritage. org
MyHeritage.org, a website for Heritage members and supporters, brings you the latest news and analysis surrounding the Washington debates, a full library of Myth Busters to combat liberal distortions, and the resources you need to spread your conservative message. Be sure to sign up to receive regular MyHeritage.org e-mail updates today so you can be a meaningful part of real conservative change in Washington.
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I really do not have time now to expound further on why the above should not be tax deductible (i.e. we are all subsidizing their partisanship) and how it is different from a Media Matters, or to even fix all the formatting problems with the above resulting from the scan as I am already late for work (which also means I won't be able to come back and read and reply to any comments until late tonight).