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CPR's Kevin Smith pulls off Glenn Beck impersonation

by: Michael Marsh

Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:32:38 AM EDT


(Civil Rights Leader Kevin Smith is at it again. - promoted by Dean Barker)

Notorious anti-civil rights crusader Kevin Smith of Cornerstone Policy Research (and sadly, a member of the  NH Advisory Board to the US Civil Rights Commission) did his best Glenn Beck impersonation this week when he issued a press release wondering if Governor Lynch intended to take all the money held by non-profit organizations in this state, and asking the Governor to pinky-promise he wouldn't it. Seriously.

Both the Governor and Speaker's comments raise a significant concern that they each believe that if an organization has a tax-exempt status, the state has the right to 'steal' any surplus balance that they own. This belief would be of concern to any tax-exempt non-profit, such as a church or charitable organization with "excess" money in the bank.

The reasoning behind notorious anti-civil rights crusader Smith's "concern" is purportedly the Governor's statement about the court decision on the JUA malpractice insurance issue.  The Governor's remarks to which Smith takes umbrage were:

These surplus funds belong to the citizens of New Hampshire, who created the Joint Underwriting Association and gave it tax-exempt status.
Michael Marsh :: CPR's Kevin Smith pulls off Glenn Beck impersonation
Either notorious anti-civil rights crusader Smith cannot comprehend a statement that contains two qualifiers, or he is deliberately misunderstanding what the Governor said in order to scare the bejeezus out of non-profit organizations. Any native English speaker with an 8th grade education would understand the Governor did not claim the right to (as Smith so charmlessly says) "steal" money from an organization simply because it has a non-profit status. The Governor was speaking specifically about an organization created by the state for a specific purpose and was also given a unique tax advantage vis-à-vis its for-profit competition.  The Governor's position was one that was approved by the now ex-AG, and has ample support in the law.  

The state has appealed the court's ruling to the Supreme Court, who may or may not agree with the state's position. In any case, for Smith to jump from  this specific instance and make the claim that "government is going to take church money" rises to the level of Glenn Beckian insanity.

Tell me again, why is notorious anti-civil rights crusader Smith representing you and me on the Civil Rights advisory panel?

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To Answer Your Question (0.00 / 0)
Who appointed him to that commission?
Could it be the same person who turned his back on seriously ill citizens?

No'm Sayn?

Wrong, Burt (4.00 / 3)
Burt, if I am de-cyphering your cryptic question correctly, the inference you are trying to draw is about as fact based as Mr. Smith's comments.

This state advisory board to the commission has nothing to do with the State of New Hampshire. It was thoroughly discussed here when his nomination was announced. Lucy Weber actually reported on her call to the commission to find out the facts, which included that the members are appointed by the US Civil Rights Commission - a federal commission. Because the members are appointed to staggered six year terms, the commission still has a Bush presence. If you are interested in the facts, here is the link to the diary and comments discussing the appointment:

http://www.bluehampshire.com/d...      




"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    


[ Parent ]
Half Wrong (4.00 / 2)
I am pleased to learn it was a federal appointment, I erred in thinking it was a state commission.
But we still do know who turned his back on seriously ill citizens.

No'm Sayn?

[ Parent ]
No (4.00 / 1)
Just because you say it on the internet doesn't make it true - as evidence by your prior post! When you make stuff up, or don't bother to get easily findable facts, you undercut the legitimacy of your position. That's what Kevin Smith does - makes stuff up to support a position.

So, in any event, half wrong is still wrong.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    


[ Parent ]
Unfortunately Still Correct, Kathy (4.00 / 1)
On the governor's outrageous and unforgivable betrayal of seriously ill citizens.  

No'm Sayn?

[ Parent ]
Civil rights refer to the citizens' participation in governing. (0.00 / 0)
Since Mr. Smith's opining seems unrelated to such functions as voting, serving on juries, etc., his opining seems irrelevant to his appointed position and he probably should not be referred to as a member of the Commission when he does that.  
Perhaps he does not understand the meaning of civil rights and is proceeding under the impression that citizens are in basic conflict with their agents of government.  It seems to be a common Republican problem arising from the perception that "consent" is, at best, something that's coerced.

Anyway, since Republicans perceive the legislative and judicial branches as handmaidens of the executive, the only "check" left to them is located in the political parties and various interest groups--a situation that very likely leaves them feeling rather impotent.

But, that seems to be their preferred interpretation.  Tant pis.


I've said it before and I'll say it again. (4.00 / 3)
I like Kevin Smith better when he's playing Silent Bob.

--
@DougLindner


But he really did a lousy job (4.00 / 1)
in bringing back Green Arrow.

Mess with the Oliver Queen story all you want. But leave Stanley and His Monster alone.


[ Parent ]
It is a reasonable question - if the State is stealing money from the JUA (and that is what they are doing)... (0.00 / 0)
...what makes you think that the State is not capable of stealing from any other organization?

And I am not blaming Gov. Lynch or the Democratic controlled legislature for this - it could equally happen under the Republicans.

This theft (for that is what it is) establishes a bad precedent - a slippery slope for taking more funds from other organizations.

I never thought I would agree with Kevin Smith!


Ho hum. (3.00 / 4)
You keep repeating that. When challenged you've got nothing.

The crazy left say property is theft.
The crazy right says tax is theft.
Crazy Putney says paying for insurance coverage received is theft.


[ Parent ]
The insurance coverage received was paid for without taxpayer money (0.00 / 0)
They facilitated it - but they contributed nothing.

Therefore it is theft.

All you are doing is parroting what has been said by others, you poor mashuganah stupid Elwood.


[ Parent ]
Liar. (2.67 / 3)
And ratings abuser.

The taxpayers contributed the management of the fund, which resulted in the fund's investment growth. The state contributed its authority to tax private insurers to cover any shortfall.

You know that already, because you have "responded" when I have explained that. Not with any contrary information, just with dismissiveness.

You claim that I am parroting others.

You lie.


[ Parent ]
A troll rating for an abusive troll comment (0.00 / 0)
I guess I should parrot everything that is said on this blog. Sorry - I'm not that stupid.

[ Parent ]
I don't think you're stupid. (2.00 / 2)
I think you're a liar.

[ Parent ]
Why don't you try to be mature for a change since you were the first to engage in name calling (0.00 / 0)
I'm apologize for stooping as low as you by engaging in name calling first.

But I guess that is the abuse one has to accept for disagreeing with the great omnipotent Elwood.


[ Parent ]
Putney And Elwood Need A Beer... (4.00 / 2)
...to refocus the discussion onto Kevin Smith, who isn't as smart as he and some people think he is.  

Regardless of the issue of the Underwriting funds -- and it is a complex matter that will be settled by the Courts -- Michael Marsh's question remains:  "Tell me again, why is notorious anti-civil rights crusader Smith representing you and me on the Civil Rights advisory panel?"


[ Parent ]
Also, the JUA was not required to pay the insurance tax .. (4.00 / 3)
...like every other insurance business in the state

Asin  every other state, NH has a 1-2% tax on the total value of the insurance plans underwritten. The JUA, as a quasi-state agency, was exempt from this tax. I have no idea how much tax the JUA would have paid if it were truly independent, but since there is a $160 million  surplus, it must be pretty significant. In any case, the surplus in the JUA exists solely because of legislative action taken by the state.


[ Parent ]

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