Richard Burke, Executive Director posts a comment.
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| Burke |
Did the conference violate the requirements of 501-C-3 organizations?
"It's a tricky area."
The Western Liberty Network defends itself. I show his response below.
Richard Burke's position is that the Democrats mentioned by name, including Bernie Sanders and Jeff Merkley, both currently campaigning for president, are not "currently a filed candidate for office in any upcoming election" and therefore the organization is not "endorsing or opposing them" as candidates when a trainer for the WLN subjects them to contemptuous description, because he says they are not actually filed at this time.
Secondly, he argues that holding up "Democrats" as a group to contempt in comparison with "Republicans" is not the same as opposing "groups of candidates" (i.e. Democrats.) After all, only a few Democrats among the millions are actually Democratic candidates at any one time. Therefore, it is permitted to criticize "Democrats" versus "Republicans" because one is actually criticizing the presumed ideas of the great body of Democratic-affiliated people, only a few of whom at any given time are actually candidates. Indeed, such a small percentage of Democrats are candidates that the ones who are running are not injured by the wholesale contempt of "Democrats."
Therefore, the tax exempt organization deserves to keep its tax status as an educational charity, not a political organization.
Therefore, the tax exempt organization deserves to keep its tax status as an educational charity, not a political organization.
Burke makes my point perfectly.
There was a big element of legal fiction involved in the 2019 conference, in my opinion. To construe the event as compliant with 501-C-3 requirements--which Burke does--requiring the convention not to "have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates," one needs to re-define "Democrats" to exclude the many people running as Democrats.
Got it.
There was a big element of legal fiction involved in the 2019 conference, in my opinion. To construe the event as compliant with 501-C-3 requirements--which Burke does--requiring the convention not to "have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates," one needs to re-define "Democrats" to exclude the many people running as Democrats.
Got it.
In future years he says he hopes to avoid this "appearance" of wrong-doing.
Here is Richard Burke:
"With respect to Mr. Stack, I do not see any violations of 501(c)3 restrictions committed by Western Liberty Network.
Joey Nations purchased an exhibition table for himself as did a number of organizations. WLN was not promoting his candidacy as any other person or entity could have also purchased an exhibition table regardless of their party affiliation.
Mr. Jorgensen spoke of "Republicans" and "Democrats" more than I would have liked because I want to be inclusive of everyone (I myself am a registered Libertarian). Still, not all Republicans and/or Democrats are candidates for public office (actually, only a very small percentage of them are). Equating ideas with parties is therefore not the same as endorsing or opposing candidates or groups of candidates.
Insofar as I know, with regard to mentioning "'Obama' or 'Clinton' or 'Bernie Sanders' or 'Jeff Merkley' or 'Kate Brown'", none of these former or current office holders is currently a filed candidate for office in any upcoming election. Equating ideas with the policies of these people for the purposes of making a point does not constitute a violation of 501(c)3 restrictions.
It is a tricky area to be sure, and I could go on.
That said, I deeply respect what Mr. Stack is trying to do. Mr. Stack has provided me with valuable feedback I will use to improve future conferences. I want to go beyond simply obeying 501(c)3 restrictions and avoid even the *-appearance-* of partisanship in WLN's activity. I expect that we will become more successful in doing so with each annual conference.
WLN is concerned with ideas, principles, and empowerment, not parties which shift their beliefs over time. Getting 15 volunteer trainers to tow the line is always a challenge, somewhat akin to the cliche of herding cats. But to be clear, WLN does not endorse or oppose any candidate, legislation, or ballot measure. We encourage people to run for local non-partisan offices and offer training to all, but we don't even endorse or oppose the people we train.
Through ideas, not individuals or parties, WLN hopes to re-weave the fabric of our political culture. Thank you."
Joey Nations purchased an exhibition table for himself as did a number of organizations. WLN was not promoting his candidacy as any other person or entity could have also purchased an exhibition table regardless of their party affiliation.
Mr. Jorgensen spoke of "Republicans" and "Democrats" more than I would have liked because I want to be inclusive of everyone (I myself am a registered Libertarian). Still, not all Republicans and/or Democrats are candidates for public office (actually, only a very small percentage of them are). Equating ideas with parties is therefore not the same as endorsing or opposing candidates or groups of candidates.
Insofar as I know, with regard to mentioning "'Obama' or 'Clinton' or 'Bernie Sanders' or 'Jeff Merkley' or 'Kate Brown'", none of these former or current office holders is currently a filed candidate for office in any upcoming election. Equating ideas with the policies of these people for the purposes of making a point does not constitute a violation of 501(c)3 restrictions.
It is a tricky area to be sure, and I could go on.
That said, I deeply respect what Mr. Stack is trying to do. Mr. Stack has provided me with valuable feedback I will use to improve future conferences. I want to go beyond simply obeying 501(c)3 restrictions and avoid even the *-appearance-* of partisanship in WLN's activity. I expect that we will become more successful in doing so with each annual conference.
WLN is concerned with ideas, principles, and empowerment, not parties which shift their beliefs over time. Getting 15 volunteer trainers to tow the line is always a challenge, somewhat akin to the cliche of herding cats. But to be clear, WLN does not endorse or oppose any candidate, legislation, or ballot measure. We encourage people to run for local non-partisan offices and offer training to all, but we don't even endorse or oppose the people we train.
Through ideas, not individuals or parties, WLN hopes to re-weave the fabric of our political culture. Thank you."
