Michael McAuliff informs us that a new report from the Congressional Research Service finds that Representative Darrel Issa's latest tactic against Lois Lerner in his IRS probe has not been used since the day of the McCarthy hearrings, as he reports in, Darrell Issa Tries Tactic In IRS Probe Last Used In McCarthyism.
Lois Lerner ran the IRS department in charge of determining which 'organizations qualified for tax-exempt status as 'social welfare' groups under section 501(c)4 of the tax code, or if they engaged in to much political activity to qualify.
Lerner has twice invoked her Fifth Amendment rights not to testify, however, Issa maintains that because she said something in front of the committee, (during her first appearance she said she did nothing wrong), she has technically waived her right and can now be compelled to testify under threat of contempt.
Micheal McAuliff reminds us that Congressional Research Service records show no "American" has been "successfully prosecuted" for invoking their Fifth Amendment rights before Congress."
Most of the cases involved the House Un-American Activities Committee and its communist witch-hunts in the 1950s. But one that is particularly instructive involves a Buffalo, N.Y., woman named Diantha Hoag, who was fired from her factory job after Sen. Joe McCarthy (R-Wis.) and his Senate Committee on Government Operations accused her of being a communist and she pleaded the Fifth.
In that case, Hoag answered many more questions than Lerner did. She listed several places where she had lived, said she worked at a Westinghouse plant, and told committee members that she knew Westinghouse contracted with the military. Lerner never went beyond a short opening statement professing her innocence.
Hoag, however refused to answer any question about her private beliefs about communism, or talk about any of her associates.
When McCarthy attempted to compel her testimony through the courts, as Issa is now threatening, a judge did not look kindly on the bid, declaring: “I reach the conclusion that the defendant did not waive her privilege under the Fifth Amendment and therefore did not violate the statute in question in refusing to answer the questions propounded to her. Therefore, I find that she is entitled to a judgment of acquittal on all counts.”
McAuliff reports that Democrats on the committee have cited these cases and submitted letters from 25 independent lawyers suggesting that Darrell Issa is once again wasting time (and I should add, taxpayers money,)
Darrell Issa's irresponsible exploitation of his committee chair to pursue such blatant and flagrantly partisan grandstanding continues to be an waste of taxpayers dollars, congressional time and an embarrassment to himself, his congressional distrist, Republicans, and to our entire democratic system of government.
You should read Michael McAuliff's well researched and written article if you have any remaining doubt about this. His many details about Darrell Issa's lack of fitness for leadership will leave you shaking your head.
Perhaps, though, this article is best left for one of those quite moments you have alone, because after you read it, you might just have to bow your head in sadness, as you reflect on what it says about the sad state of our nation, when someone as with such contempt and disrespect American taxpayers as Darrell Issa, can rise to such a position of responsibility and power in the House of Representative in these United States of America.
1:16 PM PT: Holy Smokes, can you believe I forgot to put in the link to the Vote for our Democratic Candidate, Dave Peiser, and help toss this Darrell Issa poser out.
Darrel Issa's wasteful spending on Benghazi hearing exposed: Is Issa the most hypocritical Rep?<?a>
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As a business owner, non-profit board president, and advocate, I am involved in and care deeply about our community. I have lived in this area for nearly 25 years, raised a son who is now in college, started two local businesses, and am actively offering my time and energy to groups working to create a better life for all of us. As your Congressperson, I will work to restore representative government that reflects the voices and concerns of our communities.
Our current representative in the 49th District, Darrell Issa, declares on his website that he is living the “American Dream.” He’s made it and he’s shut the door on the rest of us. His policies do not reflect the values of the middle and working classes who are struggling to realize the American Dream for themselves, and for their family’s future.
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If someone from the campaign can send me some info like what campaign district, etc. I'm going to be doing at least one article a week exposing Darrell Issa's inadequacies for office. Thanks.