So much to do - heraldblog

So much to do

The internet is bulging with soul-searching, self-critical political prose, from left and right, most of it well-meaning, and all aimed at helping us poor liberals find our way out of the wilderness. Democrats needs to be tough. We need to talk like a real person (i.e Nascar fan). We need to understand and then co-opt the Red State Value People. We need our own Fox News.

I'm reading as much as I can these days, but withholding judgement for the time being. I haven't spend a lifetime in poliitical communications and planning, like some people have, and my Rolodex does not contain people with Washington, D.C. area codes. Still, a few truths do jump out at me.

First of all, we can't count on George Bush to include us in anything, ever again. If he wants to, fine. But let's not press our noses against the window, staring at all the pretty people having a party inside, hoping the butler will maybe send an hors 'd'oeuvre our way. Ain't gonna happen. Fox News will continue to grow, and prosper. The churches will continue to alienate and divide. The mainstream media will continue to cower and appear to bring balance to situations where none exists.

At the same time, we must resist the impulse to be vindictive. I think Andrew Sullivan struck the proper tone today (sorry, link is down) when he said George Bush deserved a second chance, as well as our constructive criticism. Bush will take that second chance about as seriously as he's taken the Bill of Rights, but at least we can say we tried.

Focus people, focus.

And how about those 501Cs?

I'm no lawyer, but the IRS requirements for charitable institutions seem pretty unambiguous to me:
To be tax-exempt as an organization described in IRC Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the purposes set forth in IRC Section 501(c)(3) and none of the earnings of the organization may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate at all in campaign activity for or against political candidates.
And yet, Karl Rove thousands of churches across the country to spread his message of hate and fear, and support for our Dear Leader. Let's see some enforcement.

4.11.04 20:42

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Dave Dempsey (5.11.04 00:01)
Ah, Ken, the Administration will invoke that section of the tax code against charities that have engaged in legislative or political activity...like environmental groups! I wouldn't be surprised to see an electronic version of an enemies list (although it won't be so crudely labeled) a la Nixon before long.