American Life League--Laying Out Specific Criteria for Judging Candidates--Egregiousl

childofmary1143 · #1 Dec 7, '06, 6:29 pm

American Life League--Laying Out Specific Criteria for Judging Candidates--Egregiously Violates Federal IRS Regulations

Catholics for a Free Choice Asks that the IRS Holds Group Accountable for Repeatedly Violating the Law

Washington, DC—Catholics for a Free Choice today filed a complaint with the IRS following the last minute pre-election publication of the American Life League’s “voter guide,” requesting that the IRS swiftly strip the organization of its tax-exempt status in light of its egregious violations of rules governing the behavior of nonprofits in elections.

The American Life League’s voter guide identifies four issues as “non-negotiables” and advises readers that, if a candidate does not measure up on all four issues, “That candidate, no matter how right he is on other topics, should not receive your vote.” The guide thus acts as a tacit, but clear, endorsement of some candidates over others based on the criteria outlined by the American Life League.

Such behavior is not allowed for 501(c)(3) non-profits, which benefit from the ability to take in tax-free donations from their supporters. American Life League’s actions are a disingenuous attempt to skirt the regulations by which every other 501(c)(3) must abide. As explained in the IRS professional education article on “Election Year Issues,” a 501(c)(3) may not make a communication that "invites its audience to compare a candidate’s positions with the organization’s own views." (Judith E. Kindell and John Francis Reilly, "Election Year Issues," IRS Continuing Professional Education Manual for FY 2002 at 376.) That aptly describes this voter guide.

American Life League, however, is not alone in ignoring both the letter and the spirit of the law by producing and promoting legally questionable voter’s guides. Other antichoice groups have published similar voter’s guides this year, including Priests for Life and Catholic Answers. Catholic Answers, already facing an IRS investigation, created a admittedly political 501(c)(4) group, catholic Answers Action, to oversee the production and distribution of its voter guide, a division that still seems to be more cosmetic than actual. CFFC filed a complaint with the IRS over their electioneering activities on October 3, 2006.

President of Catholics for a Free Choice, Frances Kissling, comments, “there has been a dramatic upsurge in questionable voter guides by Catholic groups, almost as if these groups are hoping their actions will generate a test case. The IRS cannot allow such blatant disregard for election laws to continue. Being religiously-oriented organizations does not absolve these groups of their responsibility to follow federal laws. The American Life League’s late entry into the field must be addressed. It needs to learn that campaign regulations are for everyone.”

-end-

Catholics for Free Choice (CFFC) shapes and advances sexual and reproductive ethics that are based on justice, reflect a commitment to women’s well being, and respect and affirm the moral capacity of women and men to make sound decisions about their lives. Through discourse, education, and advocacy, CFFC works in the US and internationally to infuse these values into public policy, community life, feminist analysis, and Catholic social thinking and teaching.

Catholig · #2 Dec 7, '06, 6:44 pm

ChildofMary,

Its sad how the law is set up if it won't allow an organization to say "don't vote for anyone who is pro-abortion". They aren't supporting a particular party in doing so, but are standing up for their beliefs.

Also I hope that the paragraph after "--end--" wasn't your own opinion of CFFC or you are in error.

Catholig

childofmary1143 · #3 Dec 8, '06, 9:20 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catholig

ChildofMary,

Its sad how the law is set up if it won't allow an organization to say "don't vote for anyone who is pro-abortion". They aren't supporting a particular party in doing so, but are standing up for their beliefs.

Also I hope that the paragraph after "--end--" wasn't your own opinion of CFFC or you are in error.

Catholig

Rest assured it was NOT my opinion

**estesbob** · #4 Dec 8, '06, 9:22 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catholig

ChildofMary,

Its sad how the law is set up if it won't allow an organization to say "don't vote for anyone who is pro-abortion". They aren't supporting a particular party in doing so, but are standing up for their beliefs.

Also I hope that the paragraph after "--end--" wasn't your own opinion of CFFC or you are in error.

Catholig

No law was violated. Kissling is just looking for publicity.

chrisg93 · #5 Dec 9, '06, 11:37 am

to ChildofMary,

With your post you have put yourself in a very dangerous moral position. Please understand that as Mother Teresa said "abortion is the greatest destroyer of peace in the world today, a war on the child, murder by the mother herself". No one may allow, tolerate, excuse or waver on abortion.

Chris

bones_IV · #6 Dec 9, '06, 11:59 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by estesbob

No law was violated. Kissling is just looking for publicity.

The liberal fascist left is at it again.

**Tantum ergo** · #7 Dec 9, '06, 12:05 pm

I wonder, is "Catholics for a Free Choice" a tax-exempt group itself?

Norseman82 · #8 Dec 9, '06, 12:28 pm

Why not sue "Catholics for a Free Choice" for false advertising? After all, they say they are Catholic....

Anyway, when I got the letter in the mail regarding the establishment of "Catholic Answers Action", it was noted that the courts always sided with Catholic Answers, but it was just getting to be a nuisance to have to go to court all the time to respond to all the charges. And "nuisance suits" are a common harassment tactic in the hopes that the other side does not want a long protracted fight.

Personally, I think we should drop the "Catholic niceties" and get an attorney that can "smell blood" and whenever a nuisance suit comes up simply say "we've been through this before, and the courts have said what we're doing is OK", and then countersue them for harassment to the point it cripples our persecutors.

childofmary1143 · #9 Dec 12, '06, 12:13 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisg93

to ChildofMary,

With your post you have put yourself in a very dangerous moral position. Please understand that as Mother Teresa said "abortion is the greatest destroyer of peace in the world today, a war on the child, murder by the mother herself". No one may allow, tolerate, excuse or waver on abortion.

Chris

Thank you for your concern however you should realize that I used the cut and paste method when posting this thread. I do not support this group in ANY WAY AT ALL