BRATTLEBORO — We are a tax-exempt social welfare organization. We try to solve housing problems. And we watch Congresspeople work against us, obstructing housing efforts.
Policies and elections are now regularly bought by moneyed interests masquerading as “social welfare” organizations - with the help of the IRS.
Our organization is classified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3). Another organization, Americans for Prosperity, the IRS calls a 501(c)(4). Both are granted tax exemption, provided they're promoting “the common good and general welfare of the people of the community as a whole.”
Because of that requirement, we as a 501(c)(3) are “absolutely prohibited” from partisan politics, from supporting or opposing political candidates directly or indirectly.
Yet Americans for Prosperity is allowed by the IRS to promote or oppose candidates both directly and, in “issue” ads, indirectly.
In fact, though called a social welfare organization, Americans for Prosperity does no social welfare work. Its entire purpose is to support Mitt Romney and his platform.
And Americans for Prosperity is not alone. Emboldened by the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, numerous 501(c)(4) organizations are pouring money into Republican political campaigns and causes.
And not only Republican. Obama backers recently created Priorities USA Action, again masquerading as a social welfare organization and concealing who their donors are.
When these organizations first appeared, the IRS was caught off-guard. They've since considered some halting steps.
But it is way past time to clean up this act, lest Americans get even more cynical about their government.