This is one of the toughest letters Ive ever had to send. For years, people have joked that the three most feared letters in the English language may well be these . . .
I R S.
But today, Im not laughing.
Just days ago, the IRS handed Campaign for Liberty a hefty fine and DEMANDED we turn over sensitive contributor information.
If we dont comply with the IRS outrageous demand for sensitive donor information, Im afraid well face additional fines that could cripple Campaign for Liberty and perhaps even force us to shut our doors.
But,Im not naïve. I know where this is headed.
The statists at the IRS know Ill NEVER EVER turn over confidential information about Campaign for Libertys donors without a fight.
Instead, this is likely just the first in a long line of UNCONSTITUTIONAL and likely ILLEGAL excuses this rogue government agency will use to try to shut us up and shut us down by FINING us to death.
So I have a decision to make - a critical decision that could affect Campaign for Libertys very survival in the months ahead.
Do I fight on? Do I risk everything? Do I tell the statist IRS to go fly a kite?
Or should Campaign for Liberty just pay up, keep our head down, and hope this never happens again?
I need you to tell me what to do today.
In just a second, Im going to give you a link to a Campaign for Liberty Supporter Ballot.
As youll see, there will only be two choices on the form - the only two choices Im faced with today.
But before you decide, please let me explain everything thats at stake . . .
As I mentioned, what the IRS wants is contributor information on Campaign for Libertys top donors, pointing to a rarely enforced and unconstitutional bureaucratic rule.
You see, as a 501(c)(4) organization under IRS law, all Campaign for Liberty contributor information is supposed to be confidential.
This is a critical protection I wholeheartedly support.
Privacy and liberty go hand-in-hand.
In fact, when Thomas Paine published his pamphlet Common Sense in 1776, he did so anonymously.
Forcing organizations like Campaign for Liberty to publicize donor information would have an incredibly chilling effect on political speech.
Many liberty-loving Americans would silence themselves for fear of becoming targets of political retribution.
And after the Obama IRS was caught red-handed targeting pro-limited government groups for harassment and intimidation, these fears could not be more well-founded.
So theres no way I would ever just hand this kind of information over to these government bureaucrats. Thats not an option.
So when we filed annual reports with the IRS as required by law, we left this information off.
The IRS now claims thats the reason were being fined!
But the truth is, years ago, after the NAACP complied with IRS demands and promptly saw their donor information publicized, the IRS has only occasionally sought to enforce their ridiculous rule.
the real reason theyre coming after Campaign for Liberty Im afraid is something far more sinister.
After all, theres no denying our Liberty Movement is growing.
Only a few years ago, you and I were barely a blip on the political screen.
But theres no denying things have changed, when you consider:
*** Today, we see a growing crop of new Liberty Movement supporters like Rand Paul (R-KY), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) in the U.S. Senate;
*** In the U.S. House, theres Congressmen Justin Amash (R-MI) and Thomas Massie (R-KY).
*** My son, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), is now considered a frontrunner for President in 2016!
*** Audit the Fed is now a top issue in American politics;
*** The bipartisan National Internet Tax Mandate and the National ID database scheme were supposed to sail through Congress, but you and I have so far held them both off;
*** More and more Americans now oppose radical federal government spying programs and - as we saw with Syria - are more skeptical than ever of foreign military adventurism.
Liberty-minded Americans efforts are at the heart of all this success.
Im convinced these are just the beginning stages of a massive nationwide R3VOLUTION that can usher in a new era of liberty and limited government in America.
thats why were being targeted.
Thats why the statists in BOTH parties want so much to shut us up and shut us down.
Im afraid, without your support today, they could very well get their wish.
I have no doubt if these ridiculous demands made it to court, Campaign for Liberty would win, hands down.
But Im afraid thats not what this is about.
Campaign for Liberty is run on a shoestring budget. We dont have millions lying around in the bank.
This is about draining us.
This is about forcing me to take resources off of other critical programs just to keep our doors open.
Thats why I want so badly to just say NO!
But without an IMMEDIATE influx of funds, Im afraid well be sitting ducks.
I just wont be able to pay for everything . . .
But the alternative could be worse.
Paying this outrageous extortionist fine - just to exercise our rights as American citizens to petition our government - may even be cheaper in the short run.
But itll just embolden an alphabet soup of other federal agencies to come after us.
this is the price you pay for daring to stand up to a federal government that wants to keep taxing, spending, and printing every American into the poorhouse.
So what do I do?
Wont you please fill out your Campaign for Liberty Supporter Ballot right away?