IRS Scandal: Incompetence or politics? Axelrod claims stupidity

June 03, 2013

Writer

This Sunday on Meet the Press, David Axelrod made this statement regarding the IRS scandal:

"I've said this many times. If there was somebody political involved in this, it never would have happened because it was the stupidest thing you could imagine. I don't think that it was necessary and I don't think that it was smart."

"Really? It was so stupid that no one could have been involved?" Glenn responded after hearing the audio.

"Well, that shows you it was political. The more stupid it is, the more you believe it was politically motivated," Pat added.

"It really, it really, truly you amazes me how they always are trying to go back in to say, "We are so incompetent. We're so incompetent. Everyone is so incompetent." I've never heard any administration or any business or anybody ever claim incompetence more than this group of people," Glenn noted.

Given that this administration is also quick to tell the American people what's best for them, it's hard to believe they would want the public to find them incompetent…but that's the best line they've got right now. Keep in mind, while they're wanting Americans to believe that the IRS is incompetent and the President knew nothing, President Obama is helped push through Obamacare, which puts your health coverage in the hands of the incompetent IRS.

Kind of concerning, no?

Glenn wasn't buying it. Given the timing of the IRS targets, the healthcare debate, and the elections, there's no way politics weren't involved.

"So what is the IRS scandal honestly?" Glenn asked. "They didn't break any laws, right? I mean, unless they're intentionally targeting. "But you can't really prove that. They're just asking questions." They weren't ‑‑ they weren't doing anything... except nudging you. Isn't that interesting? Just nudging the entire time."

Glenn continued, "now, whose theory is that? Well, that's Cass Sunstein. What is Cass Sunstein's job? Paperwork. He's the regulations czar. When you think of regulations, government regulations, you think of paperwork. How was the IRS nudging people? Through paperwork. But, of course, Cass Sunstein, you know, would never have anything to do with something like that. Now, the IRS had 157 meetings at the White House, 157. When they asked the IRS chief, "Why 157 meetings? That's an awful lot." I mean, Hillary Clinton went how many times? 20? Eric Holder was there I think 40 or 50? Why 157 meetings? Now, these 157 meetings happened all during the time of this scandal and the healthcare debate."

Glenn quickly reminded listeners who is was leading the fight against Obamacare: the Tea Party, making it all the more unusual that no political discussion would occur involving the Tea Party during these meetings with the IRS regarding health care reform.

"I find that incredibly ridiculous you to think that humans didn't have that conversation," Glenn said.

"Tell me this conversation never happened at the White House," Glenn started:

"You know, Ralph, I mean, here we are working, last 100 days. I mean, is there a chance that, like, none of this is going to happen? I mean, maybe we don't get the opportunity to help America by creating 16,000 new jobs. Maybe we don't grow our departments and gain just so many great things for the IRS and for America. I mean, have you seen what the crazy TEA Partiers are sayin'?"
Ralph responds, "I know, Jim. I mean, these 9/12 people and these TEA Partiers, I mean, they really think that there are death panels. You hear that? Sarah Palin was saying death panels."
"Yeah, well, actually they're... there are death panels."
"Really?"
"Yeah, yeah. In fact, the IRS, your team, is going to be part of that."
"But I... I thought the president said there weren't going to be any death panels and those people like Sarah Palin who said there were death panels, those were just crazy conspiracy theories."
"Yeah, yeah. Well, I think what happened was... you know, nobody ever talks to the president. I'll just bet you that ‑‑ I mean, is just so incompetent, I'll bet you that he didn't know and nobody told him about the death panel thing when he was saying that it was a conspiracy theory because I mean, he wouldn't lie."
"I know. He's the most honest guy ever, right? He wouldn't lie. I know that."
"Yeah, me, too. I know it too. Oh, but those TEA Party people, oh, they're such good‑hearted people. I ‑‑ sure, I disagree with them but, man, they're good‑hearted people but they just don't know what's in their best interest."
"Yeah. Kind of like what the president was sayin' about them Jews in Israel."
"Exactly. They just don't know what's in their best interest. Oh, man."
"I wish there was some way we could stop 'em, or at least slow 'em down so we could get this through."
"I know. I know."
"You know, if Cass just — I mean, if he hadn't given that one idea for merely academic reasons, you know, we could just flood them with regulatory paperwork. Stay within the law, of course, but then if they said anything to the press, we'll just say Cass' advice and just label them as conspiracy theorists and deny it."
"Yeah. But what would happen if it turned out to be true, like a couple of years down the road?"
"Yeah, I know. That's what Cass wrote about in his academic paper. That's exactly what he said to do. Even if it turned out to be true, later we would just say, oh, well, we didn't know."
"Yeah, I know. Boy, that would be good, but that was an academic paper, right?"
"Yeah, no, Cass said it was just an academic paper."
"Crap. So we can't even consider using that idea for some strange reason."
"No, uh‑uh, it was just academic. We can ‑‑ even though he works right down the hall, we can't even talk to him about that because that was ‑‑ that was just academic."
"Right, okay, yeah. Oh, well, let's just get back to work for the American people, help them and create a better, more streamlined healthcare system, you know, where there are no death panels and the IRS oversees all the paperwork in a friendly and efficient manner."
"Yeah, right. But... Ralph, remember, only for those who choose universal healthcare."
"Oh, oh, I know, I know. Because if you have a doctor you like... say it with me... you'll be able to keep him."

"That never happened?" Glenn asked sarcastically. "That conversation never happened? Here's the guy who is in charge of all of the regulations. What is the IRS if it isn't regulatory ‑‑ a regulatory process? What is it? And so nobody brought up the purely academic study that tells the IRS to do exactly what they did, tells the EPA to do exactly what the EPA was doing to conservative groups as well?"

What our response to Israel reveals about us

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I have been honored to receive the Defender of Israel Award from Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The Jerusalem Post recently named me one of the strongest Christian voices in support of Israel.

And yet, my support is not blind loyalty. It’s not a rubber stamp for any government or policy. I support Israel because I believe it is my duty — first as a Christian, but even if I weren’t a believer, I would still support her as a man of reason, morality, and common sense.

Because faith isn’t required to understand this: Israel’s existence is not just about one nation’s survival — it is about the survival of Western civilization itself.

It is a lone beacon of shared values in the Middle East. It is a bulwark standing against radical Islam — the same evil that seeks to dismantle our own nation from within.

And my support is not rooted in politics. It is rooted in something simpler and older than politics: a people’s moral and historical right to their homeland, and their right to live in peace.

Israel has that right — and the right to defend herself against those who openly, repeatedly vow her destruction.

Let’s make it personal: if someone told me again and again that they wanted to kill me and my entire family — and then acted on that threat — would I not defend myself? Wouldn’t you? If Hamas were Canada, and we were Israel, and they did to us what Hamas has done to them, there wouldn’t be a single building left standing north of our border. That’s not a question of morality.

That’s just the truth. All people — every people — have a God-given right to protect themselves. And Israel is doing exactly that.

My support for Israel’s right to finish the fight against Hamas comes after eighty years of rejected peace offers and failed two-state solutions. Hamas has never hidden its mission — the eradication of Israel. That’s not a political disagreement.

That’s not a land dispute. That is an annihilationist ideology. And while I do not believe this is America’s war to fight, I do believe — with every fiber of my being — that it is Israel’s right, and moral duty, to defend her people.

Criticism of military tactics is fair. That’s not antisemitism. But denying Israel’s right to exist, or excusing — even celebrating — the barbarity of Hamas? That’s something far darker.

We saw it on October 7th — the face of evil itself. Women and children slaughtered. Babies burned alive. Innocent people raped and dragged through the streets. And now, to see our own fellow citizens march in defense of that evil… that is nothing short of a moral collapse.

If the chants in our streets were, “Hamas, return the hostages — Israel, stop the bombing,” we could have a conversation.

But that’s not what we hear.

What we hear is open sympathy for genocidal hatred. And that is a chasm — not just from decency, but from humanity itself. And here lies the danger: that same hatred is taking root here — in Dearborn, in London, in Paris — not as horror, but as heroism. If we are not vigilant, the enemy Israel faces today will be the enemy the free world faces tomorrow.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about truth. It’s about the courage to call evil by its name and to say “Never again” — and mean it.

And you don’t have to open a Bible to understand this. But if you do — if you are a believer — then this issue cuts even deeper. Because the question becomes: what did God promise, and does He keep His word?

He told Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you.” He promised to make Abraham the father of many nations and to give him “the whole land of Canaan.” And though Abraham had other sons, God reaffirmed that promise through Isaac. And then again through Isaac’s son, Jacob — Israel — saying: “The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I give to you and to your descendants after you.”

That’s an everlasting promise.

And from those descendants came a child — born in Bethlehem — who claimed to be the Savior of the world. Jesus never rejected His title as “son of David,” the great King of Israel.

He said plainly that He came “for the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” And when He returns, Scripture says He will return as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” And where do you think He will go? Back to His homeland — Israel.

Tamir Kalifa / Stringer | Getty Images

And what will He find when He gets there? His brothers — or his brothers’ enemies? Will the roads where He once walked be preserved? Or will they lie in rubble, as Gaza does today? If what He finds looks like the aftermath of October 7th, then tell me — what will be my defense as a Christian?

Some Christians argue that God’s promises to Israel have been transferred exclusively to the Church. I don’t believe that. But even if you do, then ask yourself this: if we’ve inherited the promises, do we not also inherit the land? Can we claim the birthright and then, like Esau, treat it as worthless when the world tries to steal it?

So, when terrorists come to slaughter Israelis simply for living in the land promised to Abraham, will we stand by? Or will we step forward — into the line of fire — and say,

“Take me instead”?

Because this is not just about Israel’s right to exist.

It’s about whether we still know the difference between good and evil.

It’s about whether we still have the courage to stand where God stands.

And if we cannot — if we will not — then maybe the question isn’t whether Israel will survive. Maybe the question is whether we will.

America’s moral erosion: How we were conditioned to accept the unthinkable

MATHIEU LEWIS-ROLLAND / Contributor | Getty Images

Every time we look away from lawlessness, we tell the next mob it can go a little further.

Chicago, Portland, and other American cities are showing us what happens when the rule of law breaks down. These cities have become openly lawless — and that’s not hyperbole.

When a governor declares she doesn’t believe federal agents about a credible threat to their lives, when Chicago orders its police not to assist federal officers, and when cartels print wanted posters offering bounties for the deaths of U.S. immigration agents, you’re looking at a country flirting with anarchy.

Two dangers face us now: the intimidation of federal officers and the normalization of soldiers as street police. Accept either, and we lose the republic.

This isn’t a matter of partisan politics. The struggle we’re watching now is not between Democrats and Republicans. It’s between good and evil, right and wrong, self‑government and chaos.

Moral erosion

For generations, Americans have inherited a republic based on law, liberty, and moral responsibility. That legacy is now under assault by extremists who openly seek to collapse the system and replace it with something darker.

Antifa, well‑financed by the left, isn’t an isolated fringe any more than Occupy Wall Street was. As with Occupy, big money and global interests are quietly aligned with “anti‑establishment” radicals. The goal is disruption, not reform.

And they’ve learned how to condition us. Twenty‑five years ago, few Americans would have supported drag shows in elementary schools, biological males in women’s sports, forced vaccinations, or government partnerships with mega‑corporations to decide which businesses live or die. Few would have tolerated cartels threatening federal agents or tolerated mobs doxxing political opponents. Yet today, many shrug — or cheer.

How did we get here? What evidence convinced so many people to reverse themselves on fundamental questions of morality, liberty, and law? Those long laboring to disrupt our republic have sought to condition people to believe that the ends justify the means.

Promoting “tolerance” justifies women losing to biological men in sports. “Compassion” justifies harboring illegal immigrants, even violent criminals. Whatever deluded ideals Antifa espouses is supposed to somehow justify targeting federal agents and overturning the rule of law. Our culture has been conditioned for this moment.

The buck stops with us

That’s why the debate over using troops to restore order in American cities matters so much. I’ve never supported soldiers executing civilian law, and I still don’t. But we need to speak honestly about what the Constitution allows and why. The Posse Comitatus Act sharply limits the use of the military for domestic policing. The Insurrection Act, however, exists for rare emergencies — when federal law truly can’t be enforced by ordinary means and when mobs, cartels, or coordinated violence block the courts.

Even then, the Constitution demands limits: a public proclamation ordering offenders to disperse, transparency about the mission, a narrow scope, temporary duration, and judicial oversight.

Soldiers fight wars. Cops enforce laws. We blur that line at our peril.

But we also cannot allow intimidation of federal officers or tolerate local officials who openly obstruct federal enforcement. Both extremes — lawlessness on one side and militarization on the other — endanger the republic.

The only way out is the Constitution itself. Protect civil liberty. Enforce the rule of law. Demand transparency. Reject the temptation to justify any tactic because “our side” is winning. We’ve already seen how fear after 9/11 led to the Patriot Act and years of surveillance.

KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / Contributor | Getty Images

Two dangers face us now: the intimidation of federal officers and the normalization of soldiers as street police. Accept either, and we lose the republic. The left cannot be allowed to shut down enforcement, and the right cannot be allowed to abandon constitutional restraint.

The real threat to the republic isn’t just the mobs or the cartels. It’s us — citizens who stop caring about truth and constitutional limits. Anything can be justified when fear takes over. Everything collapses when enough people decide “the ends justify the means.”

We must choose differently. Uphold the rule of law. Guard civil liberties. And remember that the only way to preserve a government of, by, and for the people is to act like the people still want it.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

Stand with Voddie Baucham’s family in this time of loss

In the quiet aftermath of a profound loss, the Christian community mourns the unexpected passing of Dr. Voddie Baucham, a towering figure in evangelical circles. Known for his defense of biblical truth, Baucham, a pastor, author, and theologian, left a legacy on family, faith, and opposing "woke" ideologies in the church. His book Fault Lines challenged believers to prioritize Scripture over cultural trends. Glenn had Voddie on the show several times, where they discussed progressive influences in Christianity, debunked myths of “Christian nationalism,” and urged hope amid hostility.

The shock of Baucham's death has deeply affected his family. Grieving, they remain hopeful in Christ, with his wife, Bridget, now facing the task of resettling in the US without him. Their planned move from Lusaka, Zambia, was disrupted when their home sale fell through last December, resulting in temporary Airbnb accommodations, but they have since secured a new home in Cape Coral that requires renovations. To ensure Voddie's family is taken care of, a fundraiser is being held to raise $2 million, which will be invested for ongoing support, allowing Bridget to focus on her family.

We invite readers to contribute prayerfully. If you feel called to support the Bauchams in this time of need, you can click here to donate.

We grieve and pray with hope for the Bauchams.

May Voddie's example inspire us.

From isolation to connection: Overcoming loneliness

Loneliness isn’t just being alone — it’s feeling unseen, unheard, and unimportant, even amid crowds and constant digital chatter.

Loneliness has become an epidemic in America. Millions of people, even when surrounded by others, feel invisible. In tragic irony, we live in an age of unparalleled connectivity, yet too many sit in silence, unseen and unheard.

I’ve been experiencing this firsthand. My children have grown up and moved out. The house that once overflowed with life now echoes with quiet. Moments that once held laughter now hold silence. And in that silence, the mind can play cruel games. It whispers, “You’re forgotten. Your story doesn’t matter.”

We are unique in our gifts, but not in our humanity. Recognizing this shared struggle is how we overcome loneliness.

It’s a lie.

I’ve seen it in others. I remember sitting at Rockefeller Center one winter, watching a woman lace up her ice skates. Her clothing was worn, her bag battered. Yet on the ice, she transformed — elegant, alive, radiant.

Minutes later, she returned to her shoes, merged into the crowd, unnoticed. I’ve thought of her often. She was not alone in her experience. Millions of Americans live unseen, performing acts of quiet heroism every day.

Shared pain makes us human

Loneliness convinces us to retreat, to stay silent, to stop reaching out to others. But connection is essential. Even small gestures — a word of encouragement, a listening ear, a shared meal — are radical acts against isolation.

I’ve learned this personally. Years ago, a caller called me “Mr. Perfect.” I could have deflected, but I chose honesty. I spoke of my alcoholism, my failed marriage, my brokenness. I expected judgment. Instead, I found resonance. People whispered back, “I’m going through the same thing. Thank you for saying it.”

Our pain is universal. Everyone struggles with self-doubt and fear. Everyone feels, at times, like a fraud. We are unique in our gifts, but not in our humanity. Recognizing this shared struggle is how we overcome loneliness.

We were made for connection. We were built for community — for conversation, for touch, for shared purpose. Every time we reach out, every act of courage and compassion punches a hole in the wall of isolation.

You’re not alone

If you’re feeling alone, know this: You are not invisible. You are seen. You matter. And if you’re not struggling, someone you know is. It’s your responsibility to reach out.

Loneliness is not proof of brokenness. It is proof of humanity. It is a call to engage, to bear witness, to connect. The world is different because of the people who choose to act. It is brighter when we refuse to be isolated.

We cannot let silence win. We cannot allow loneliness to dictate our lives. Speak. Reach out. Connect. Share your gifts. By doing so, we remind one another: We are all alike, and yet each of us matters profoundly.

In this moment, in this country, in this world, what we do matters. Loneliness is real, but so is hope. And hope begins with connection.