When Tea Party groups applied for tax exempt status under 26 USC Section 501(c)4, they must have certified that they "operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare" per the law. The IRS questioned their applications, as Tea Party spokespersons frequently made political appeals. After some delay, the IRS approved their applications. Questioned by Congressman Issa, IRS Director of Exempt Organizations Lois Lerner refused to explain how and why they did so. If Tea Party groups sue, they may be in for a surprise. Federal courts might direct IRS to follow the law and recategorize such groups as political parties subject to Section 527 rules. This could get interesting.

Among OECD nations, the US ranks 14th in percentage of 25-34 year-olds with higher education, and 28th in percentage of 4 year olds in early childhood education. Read this summary (found online here). Obama proposed to make early childhood education available to all. Your thoughts?

Two complicated charts highlight our broken immigration system. The first, understand.pdf, shows the real system in cartoon form, with times to completion. The second, roadmapgreencard.pdf, shows pathways to a green card. Many immigrants do not have proper papers because the system is broken, not for lack of trying, not because they lack legitimate reason for being here. See President Obama's immigration reform plans here.

Although I have been a life-long Democrat, this was the first election in which I committed to spending precious weekend days knocking on doors and getting out the vote.

Had I not been a member of the Rancho Santa Fe Democratic Club, I would not have volunteered for such an experience.  But who could say "no" to Marilee Mclean, with her angelic face and deep blue eyes, not to mention her frequent pleas for residents of Carmel Valley to volunteer their time.