Catherine Engelbrecht’s tale has all the markings of a classic conspiracy theory: She says she thinks that because of her peaceful political activity, she and her family was targeted for scrutiny by hostile federal agencies.
Yet as news emerges that the Internal Revenue Service wielded its power to obstruct conservative groups, Catherine’s story becomes credible — and chilling. It also raises questions about whether other federal agencies have used their executive powers to target those deemed political enemies.
Before the Engelbrecht family’s three-year ordeal began, Catherine says, “I had no real expectation or preparation for the blood sport that American politics is.” Sounding weary on the phone, she continues: “It’s all been a through-the-looking-glass experience.”
Cleta Mitchell, a lawyer who specializes in representing conservative organizations, says that the Engelbrecht family’s experience is “just the tip of the iceberg. . . . I think there’s definitely a Chicago-politics-style enemies list in this administration, and I think it permeates this branch of the federal government.”
The Engelbrechts were not, until recently, particularly political. They had been busy running a tiny manufacturing plant in Rosenberg, Texas. After years of working for others, Bryan, a trained machinist, wanted to open his own shop, so he saved his earnings, bought a computerized numerical-control machine, which does precision metal-cutting, and began operating out of his garage. “That was about 20 years ago,” he says. “Now, we’re up to about 30 employees.”
Read More at National Review . By Jillian Kay Melchior.
Photo credit: formatted_dad (Creative Commons)
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Why Rush Is Wrong On Obama Scandals
Rush Limbaugh is taking a “whistling past the graveyard” approach to Barack Obama’s scandals. He is being very cautious about allowing himself to feel that some damage will be done to Obama when the dust from these scandals clears.
Rush even quotes James Carville’s liberal wishful thinking about this lasting “only 30 days” to help convince himself he’s right. Nevertheless, Rush is wrong.
While there is no doubt that Obama won’t be impeached, as Rush allows that isn’t important. Saying there won’t be any damage to Obama his Party and their dangerous agenda is simply wrong.
These scandals will do the following:
When Rush is proved “right” and nothing “seems” to change, the fuse of a renewed TEA party revolution will be lit.
People will be reminded America isn’t supposed to be this way.
Democrats will remain on defense through the mid-term election cycle – you’re not winning when you are on defense.
More whistleblowers will come forward because those already out will be insulated from reprisals. Fast and Furious can be revisited. “He’s not a citizen” will get new life. Conservative state legislatures will be embolden to pass more conservative laws and repeal more liberal ones. Photo id to vote – think Boston bombing. More sheriffs will sue Obama over gun control. The IRS will be neutered.
It will force House Republicans to finally do their jobs or face an angry constituency willing to throw them out in many districts. This will shift the leadership of Congressional GOP from RINOs to more conservative leaders. It will set new standards for GOP candidates – collaborators need not apply.
This makes it far more likely the GOP will hold the House and regains the Senate.
It weakens Obama’s leverage to ram through his socialist programs.
It weakens Obamacare’s grip on us.
It will further infuriate average Americans being disadvantaged by Obama’s sequestration.
It will end gun control and immigration “reform efforts”.
It will make bringing the needed 5% of conservatives back to vote easier.
When most of Obama’s rank and file DO NOT turn on him the “us versus them” mindset needed for conservatives to stop pandering to Hispanics and Blacks, who will never vote Republican, will grow.
This will encourage “Atlas Shrugged” type passive resistance to government and more willingness to sue and fight the IRS giving rise to appeals of court losses to the IRS.
The coupling of the Gosnell case with the IRS attacks on pro-lifers on behalf of Planned Parenthood will cause these groups to redouble their efforts to stop abortions and enjoy previously unattainable successes in the courts and in public opinion.
These things will make having Obama around worth the trade.
Photo: Standard Compliant