RESPONSE ACTION 02/14/2014

Response Action Network Newsletter
Here is your weekly update on the politics and policies affecting our liberties.


DEMOCRATS TARGET IRS INSPECTOR GENERAL

House Democrats aren't all that concerned with the IRS's abuse and targeting of tea party groups. Instead, they are upset at the IRS inspector general for looking into the matter:

"Congressional Democrats have revived their interest in Russell George, the Treasury inspector general that outlined the IRS's targeting of Tea Party groups, with a pair of lawmakers filing a formal ethics complaint.

Democrats have for months said that George, Treasury's inspector general for tax administration, crafted a flawed, misleading report that helped fan the flames of the IRS targeting controversy."

A classic case of shooting the messenger.



THREE CHEERS FOR NO WORK

The big news last week was the release of a Congressional Budget Office analysis of Obamacare that found the law creates a huge incentive for people to work less so they can get federal subsidies for health insurance. Not surprisingly, Democrats rallied to the law's defense. Right behind them were liberal pundits, who made some of the more entertaining arguments for putting people on the dole we've ever seen. James Taranto has a good collection of quotes. Among our favorites:

E.J. Dionne, Washington Post: "Oh my God, say opponents of the ACA, here is the government encouraging sloth! That's true only if you wish to take away the choices the law gives that 64-year-old or to those moms and dads looking for more time to care for their children. Many on the right love family values until they are taken seriously enough to involve giving parents/workers more control over their lives."

Because nothing says "family values" like a government subsidy check.


SECOND AMENDMENT VICTORY IN OHIO

An Ohio appeals court has ruled that the Second Amendment applies to firearms carried in cars. You can read the court's decision here.


HAVE COURTS FAILED THE CONSTITUTION?

Some folks in the liberty movement think so, and they believe the problem is only getting worse. For an overview of the discussion, check out this video featuring Clark Neily of the Institute for Justice. Here's a snip:

"The judiciary, [Neily] says, was meant to stand as a bulwark against the tyranny of the majority, a defender of individual rights. Instead, it has become a mere enabler of legislators and government agencies. Neily argues that charges of 'judicial activism' are overblown in a time when what's needed is greater 'judicial engagement,' or, a real grappling with the meaning of the Constitution and its application as a check on government power."


TSA ACTIONS MOCK ITS WORDS

Last week, a former TSA agent published a blistering account of TSA ignorance, arrogance and buffoonery. The TSA, naturally, denied all the charges, saying the agency "does not tolerate any form of unethical or unlawful behavior by its employees." Then we read this:

"A cancer victim who suffers from incontinence was humiliated during an incident last week when a TSA agent loudly announced 'he's wearing a diaper' to waiting travelers, before laughing and subjecting the man to a strip search."

You can read the entire story here.

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