November 26, 2013

"Odd that there are only investigations into conservative groups breaking campaign finance laws. Sort of like the IRS only vetting conservative groups tax-exempt status."

Quoting mccullough the commenter in our conversation last night about the partisan-seeming judge in the Wisconsin John Doe investigation, Instapundit says: "The bureaucracy is a one-party state."

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Isn't it easy on this blog to make assertions that are not backed up by any evidence?

Brennan said...

Isn't it easy on this blog to make assertions that are not backed up by any evidence?

This is a progressive blog, is it not?

tim in vermont said...

Ever notice that Republicans almost never win the close elections either? Bush v Gore is the exception, but even there, Gore made up a lot of ground and almost won.

You would think that close elections would break about 50 50 if they were decided according to the actual vote.

Roost on the Moon said...

There have been no investigations into the tax status or campaign finance of liberal groups.

Got it. Seems true! Makes me feel even more right than I already feel. Maybe it's just me, but for me, I've always felt that the Democrats were really corrupt, and this just seals the deal.

These were just the facts I needed.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

Are the leftist here really going to argue that the bureaucracy is impartial and nonpartisan? The bureaucracy is a stakeholder and acts accordingly. Of course they will favor the party that favors them.

cubanbob said...

Who to believe? Freder or our lying eyes? Why is anyone surprised that government would target those who advocate limited government instead of those who advocate expanding government?

garage mahal said...

It's odd Democrats weren't targeted during Watergate.

damikesc said...

There have been no investigations into the tax status or campaign finance of liberal groups.

Got it. Seems true! Makes me feel even more right than I already feel. Maybe it's just me, but for me, I've always felt that the Democrats were really corrupt, and this just seals the deal.


That in the midst of this nobody could pull an example of a Progressive group dealing with this --- and, rest assured, they've been looking --- is evidence that it is unlikely much happened.

We need to return to the Spoils system. At least SOMEBODY was responsible then.

Rusty said...

Freder Frederson said...
Isn't it easy on this blog to make assertions that are not backed up by any evidence?


Once again the irony sizzles.
Sizzles!

Ann Althouse said...

Watergate!

Remember that time? Nixon was terrible. And a rabbit just ran across the snow in my backyard.

Brennan said...

That in the midst of this nobody could pull an example of a Progressive group dealing with this --- and, rest assured, they've been looking --- is evidence that it is unlikely much happened.

There are examples of progressive groups that faced extraordinary questions from the IRS tax exempt organization under the leadership of the selective discloser and serial mishandler - borderline criminal - of private taxpayer information, Lois Lerner.

However, these groups all had their applications approved for tax exempt status.

There are still, 4 years later, tea party groups that still have their applications for tax exempt status as under review.

Michael K said...



11/26/13, 8:11 AM
Blogger garage mahal said...

"It's odd Democrats weren't targeted during Watergate."

Yes, and just as odd that Republicans supported the investigation, unlike Benghazi, IRS, Fast and Furious and other miscellaneous Democrat scandals. Democrats stick together, especially in Democrat scandals.

Maybe they have more practice.

TosaGuy said...

People make assumptions based on evidence, patterns and anecdotes all the time.

My working assumption until I can confirm otherwise on an individual basis is that bureaucratic functionaries are Democrats and those with power will put their politics first.

If you are one of these people, prove me wrong.

cubanbob said...

Leave it to Garage to focus like a laser on Nixon's nickels and dimes while Obama and the Democrats have heisted Fort Knox.

Joe said...

No shit Sherlock. Whatever motive democrat appointees had, the IRS has it's own motive--to continue to exist. A flat income tax would essentially destroy their power. Likewise would requiring the EPA to actually follow the law, not just make it up.

There are some great episodes of Yes Minister (and Yes, Prime Minister) where Hacker almost does reduce the bureaucracy. The expression on Humphrey's face makes the entire series worth it.

Wince said...

The Terminator: The Funding Bill is passed... Human decisions are removed... The bureaucracy begins to learn at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. Eastern time, August 29th. In a panic, they try to pull the plug.

MadisonMan said...

And a rabbit just ran across the snow in my backyard

Release the hounds!

What were we talking about again?

Patrick Henry was right! said...

Republicans in Wisconsin need to start their own John Doe investigation of these left wing groups. Why they have not seems odd to me. Perhaps the Professor could explain this bissare John Doe state statute in her state. How are secret criminal investigations even possible? Seems quite Nazi like to me.

n.n said...

Benghazi... Gesundheit!

Skeptical Voter said...

There's a great line in the movie "The Sand Pebbles" (Steve McQueen et al from 40 years ago).

McQueen is a machinist's mate on a USN Yangtze River gunboat who wants to dispense with the useless make work services of a Chinese "helper" in the engine room.

He's told that he can not do that because "you're breaking his rice bowl".

To the extent that it's not affirmatively destructive, useless make work describes much of what the federal bureaucracy does. And Tea Party and other conservative groups advocating for a smaller government are threatening to "break the bureaucrat's rice bowl". Unlike the hapless Chinese who served at the will of the US sailors, members of the federal mediocracy have the ability and the will to fight back to preserve their sinecures.

damikesc said...

It's time for the GOP to declare open war on the IRS. God knows they won't be punished for opposing the most readily hated group in government. Slice them down to nothing and let that serve as an example to rest of the bureaucracy.

Mark said...

Basil - there was one large John
Doe that got Legislative leaders from both sides about a decade ago `The Caucus Scandal'

See Chuck Chvala and Scott Jensen [among others] listed here:
http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/pubs/im/09im2.pdf

The post-caucus rule change to allow legislators to be tried in their home counties led to the later plea agreements, but it helped clean up a bad process in the Capitol at that time.

Achilles said...

damikesc said...
It's time for the GOP to declare open war on the IRS. God knows they won't be punished for opposing the most readily hated group in government. Slice them down to nothing and let that serve as an example to rest of the bureaucracy.

11/26/13, 12:17 PM

You write this as if the Republican party actually believes in smaller government and individual liberty which is in contrast to recent history.