IRS 501 Code: "must refrain from traditional partisan political activity, like endorsing candidates"

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5. the problem is that the irs code in this area, as i undertanding it, is a joke

advocating for particular political parties or candidates is not permitted for 501(c)(4)s, but advocating for *issues* that are near and dear to those political parties or candidates is fine.

so it's perfectly fine for a tax exempt organization to advertise for obamacare but not obama; libertarianism but not the libertarian party, any politician's signature plan but not that politician, or, as in the case of the tea party, lower taxes, flat taxes, repeal of income taxes, whatever, but not the republican party or any particular tea party candidates.

that's a pretty silly place to draw the line between "political activity" and "social welfare" or "community education".