(Lebanon, PA) – The Constitutional Organization Of Liberty (COOL), one of Pennsylvania’s leading educational organizations, has confirmed that it may have been among those groups which the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeted for additional scrutiny because of their focus on the US Constitution.

“Based upon all of the information that has come to light in the last few days, we believe that COOL was purposely targeted by the IRS for purely political reasons, which resulted in an unnecessary and burdensome delay in COOL securing its tax-exempt status,” said Mark Thomas, Chairman for COOL.

Thomas said he is convinced the IRS targeted COOL because of its focus on Constitutional education and their emphasis on interpretation of the Constitution based upon the original intent of the Founding Fathers.

“No one has a loving place in their heart for the IRS, but it’s outrageous to think that a federal agency, which is supposed to keep politics out of its actions, resorted to picking and choosing who should be put under the microscope based upon perceived political affiliations,” he said. 

“And why deliberately antagonize people who simply want to promote America’s founding documents?  Doesn’t the IRS have enough problems with public relations without playing games like this?”

Robert Courtright, Vice Chairman of COOL echoed Thomas’ concerns about the actions of the IRS.

“When political interests start utilizing the Internal Revenue Service to target groups and individuals with differing views and philosophy’s simply validates the necessity of a limited government as advocated by our nation’s founders,” he said.

COOL originally submitted its request for tax-exempt status in August of 2011, but as of December 2012 – and two IRS specialists later – they still had not received their exemption.  But COOL had responded to various requests for additional information, and in some instances, was asked to provide the same information multiple times.

And once the tax-exempt status was granted by the IRS at the beginning of January, COOL still experienced difficulties, as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania then requested a status for COOL, having been advised by the IRS that the tax-exempt status had been delayed, which created additional paperwork headaches.

According to Thomas, the delays caused by the IRS jeopardized potential fundraising opportunities, which have caused some setbacks in COOL’s efforts to maintain steady growth over the past two years. 

A number of other targeted groups have indicated that they are planning on pursuing legal action against the IRS.  When asked if COOL was considering any legal action, Thomas said that they have made an inquiry with their own legal counsel and are currently weighing their options.

####

(Lebanon, PA) – The Constitutional Organization Of Liberty (COOL), a conservative, non-partisan educational organization, has announced it will be hosting a “Liberty Breakfast” in Myerstown on Saturday, May 11, the topic of discussion being the Second Amendment.

Mark Thomas of Cornwall, Chairman of COOL, said that interest in matters related to firearms – from ammunition shortages to record background check reports – has been significant, and how the Founding Fathers viewed the matter.

“I expect that this breakfast will be incredibly lively,” Thomas said.  “There are a number of concerned people who feel the Second Amendment is a critical lynchpin to the Bill of Rights and if that amendment is purged, then the rest of the Bill of Rights will come under attack.”

“Between the number of resolutions that have been passed by various states rejecting any federal proposal to restrict firearms at a national level, and the deep conviction that many have about the right to own a firearm, the relevance of the Second Amendment in this generation needs to be emphasized,” he said.

Jeff Griffith, who currently serves on the board of COOL, said that any discussion of the right to bear arms must necessarily involve the Second Amendment.

“The Bill of Rights does not grant rights to the American people,” he said.  “It simply reaffirms what our Founding Fathers believed were fundamental rights of individuals living in a free society, and was one of the key debate points around the Constitution by people like Patrick Henry and George Mason.”

COOL was recently granted tax-exempt status by the IRS and does not endorse candidates for public office or support any political party, and anyone interested in matters related to the Constitution is welcome to attend.  It has also been confirmed that candidates for Lebanon County District Attorney and Lebanon County Sheriff will be attendance at the breakfast.

COOL has arranged for the morning function at the Dutch-Way Market Restaurant, beginning at 7:30 AM.  Breakfast will be served first and then followed by the presentation and discussion.  The cost is $10 per person, inclusive of breakfast, tax and gratuity.

Attendance confirmation is requested to ensure sufficient seating in the meeting room, and may be made by contacting COOL at 717-228-7524, or by e-mail at reclaimliberty@verizon.net.

####

After several weeks of ‘practice’ we are pleased to announce that COOL has been added as a regular weekly feature on “The David Madeira Show” on WTRW 94.3 FM ‘The Talker’ serving the Wilkes Barre – Scranton area!

Each Tuesday at 7:30 AM, one of COOL’s instructors will be joining morning host Dave Madeira to discuss issues of the day in context with the Constitution. Past topics have included Voter ID, the origin of rights, and the exercise of free speech.

Dave Madeira is one of the fastest growing radio hosts in Northeast Pennsylvania, and COOL is proud to be a part of his program. If you can’t catch the show live, podcasts can be heard at:

http://thedavidmadeirashow.com/category/podcasts/.

Simply select the DMS Episode you want to listen to and click the play button.

Please join COOL and Dave Madeira on this exciting new venture as we join together to further enlighten our fellow Americans on the principles and ideals upon which this republic was founded!

Mark Thomas of Cornwall, Chairman of COOL, that since the Supreme Court determined that President Obama’s Affordable Healthcare Act – otherwise known as Obamacare – is constitutional, there has been a lot of interest in how the individual states would be able to resist implementation.

“I expect that this breakfast will be incredibly lively,” Thomas said.  “There are a number of concerned people who feel the Tenth Amendment is the one avenue left to stopping further federal involvement in the lives of individual Americans.”

“Between the number of Tenth Amendment resolutions that have been passed by various states and the deep public opposition to Obamacare, there is a growing nullification movement in America today, and the Tenth Amendment is the lynchpin to it all,” he said.

State Senator Mike Folmer, and early opponent to Obamacare and sponsor of Pennsylvania’s Tenth Amendment Resolution, said that the Tenth Amendment has become the ‘Forgotten Amendment’ to the Bill of Rights.

“So often we hear about the First Amendment and the Second Amendment, but it was the Tenth Amendment that clearly reinforced the fact that the federal Constitution was intended to only give select, limited powers to the national government, and that the individual states and the people retained all other powers,” he said.

Folmer noted that since 2009 almost two dozen states have introduced or passed Tenth Amendment Resolutions – sometimes known as sovereignty measures – to reiterate the fact that the states are co-equal partners with the national government, not subservient to it.

“We are not made up of fifty administrative districts in the United States,” he said.  “Each state has powers and rights meant to keep a check on an over-aggressive federal government, and the Tenth Amendment is the intended tool for that purpose.”

COOL has arranged for the morning function at the Country Fare Restaurant, beginning at 7:30 AM.  Breakfast will be served in The Cottage, followed by the presentation and discussion.  The cost is $10 per person, inclusive of breakfast.

Attendance confirmation is requested to ensure sufficient seating in the meeting room, and may be made by contacting COOL at 717-228-7524, or by e-mail at reclaimliberty@verizon.net.

####

Louis Petolicchio, the Education Director for COOL who will be serving as course host, said that COOL was excited about bringing “A More Perfect Union” to the Souderton-area and revisiting the region.

“In January, COOL presented ‘The Birth of Freedom’ course, which was very well received,” he said.  “So, when we were asked to come back and do another presentation, we were only too happy to jump at the chance.”

Mark Thomas of Cornwall, Chairman of COOL, said that the presentation is an excellent opportunity to energize the electorate during the 2012 Election cycle.

“We always hear politicians and political activists talking about the importance of the Constitution – especially during a Presidential election – but so many Americans have been left in the dark about the Constitution itself and how important the rule-of-law is to our country,” he said.  “Courses like ‘A More Perfect Union’ give us the opportunity to reflect back and remember how we got our Constitution and how precious a document it really is.”

Lani Kimenhour, who was instrumental in arranging for COOL’s first course in the area, said she was motivated by the morning workshops that COOL has been presenting at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference outside of Harrisburg the last couple of years.

“After attending a COOL seminar in Harrisburg last spring, I knew that it was something that others in our area could benefit from,” Kimenhour said.  “The folks at COOL bring passion and enthusiasm to the topic of the U.S. Constitution.”

“They remind us just how important it is for citizens to understand the role and limitations of government as the Founding Fathers intended,” she noted.

“A More Perfect Union” is a video presentation that dramatizes the events leading up to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and the debates and arguments that forged the document that has been declared by America’s Founding Fathers as the ‘law of the land.’  It is presented in a combination video/open discussion format and runs 2 to 3 hours.

“A More Perfect Union” is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM at Immanuel Leidy’s Church, 276 W. Cherry Lane, Souderton, PA.  Cost of the course is $10, which includes all necessary study material.

Additional information may be secured by contacting 215-723-8707, or by e-mailing office@leidyschurch.org.

####

This past March 23 and 24, the Constitutional Organization Of Liberty (COOL) was again a Patriot Sponsor of the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference (PLC), the annual gathering of conservatives from across the Commonwealth in the Harrisburg area. As always, it was an excellent opportunity for participants to network with other like-minded individuals, attend a variety of informative presentations, and hear outstanding conservative leaders – including Keynote Speaker pollster Frank Luntz as well as Presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich.

We can only express our heartfelt thanks for the support COOL received this year as State Senator Mike Folmer and Instructor Louis Petolicchio were again invited to host one of the opening workshops – this year on “The Bill of Rights.”  We had been advised shortly before the presentation that the PLC had received confirmation of about 20 participants, but a final count at the end of the morning found that more than 100 people had sat in on the workshop – one of the largest ever held at the PLC!

In addition, just like last year, COOL had the largest contingent present, with five reserved tables. And, if it may be said, COOL had the finest display table in the entire showroom with books, t-shirts, and various other items available for purchase.  And we were honored to have been publicly recognized by Mr. Luntz for the gift basket which was provided to him.

The 2013 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference has already been scheduled for April 19 and 20, so make plans now to join COOL for what will be yet another exciting event.

####

http://thedavidmadeirashow.com/podcasts/2012/the-dms-3-25-12/