Secret money is gushing into the presidential campaigns

Robert Reich via Facebook

12 hrs · 

Secret money is gushing into the presidential campaigns as never before through fake “social welfare” nonprofits under 501-c-4 of the Internal Revenue Code -- and the IRS has decided not to stop it, reports the NY Times. Under an exemption set up more than a century ago, nonprofits don’t have to report their sources of income as long as they “further the common good and general welfare of the people of the community” -- but obviously this doesn’t include being shills for politicians. Yet the IRS remains so scarred by the scandal two years ago over its scrutiny of nonprofits tied to the Tea Party that it won’t investigate.

That’s irresponsible. The IRS shouldn’t be caving to Republican political pressure. (IRS commissioner John Koskinen went so far as to say nonprofits could spend up to 49 percent of their money on political activities -- which is dead wrong. They’re not supposed to engage in any political activity at all.)

The President has the power to stop much of this. He should immediately:

1. Fire Koshinen and instruct the IRS (which is part of the Treasury Department) to crack down on fraudulent nonprofits.

2 Instruct the SEC to require corporations to disclose their political contributions to their shareholders.

3. By executive order also require federal contractors to make such disclosures, and to cease any political donations if more than half their revenues come from the federal government.

If Obama is concerned about his legacy as it affects our democracy, he must act. What do you think?

The TRUTH will set you FREE.