I did not go to law school, but I know, as a practical
matter, from working with other organizations with the
same status as the usma, that these groups do always
and continuously and legally, with memos from their
lawyers assuring them that they are legal, LOBBY for
their stated purposes.
Maybe we ought to consult somebody with a law degree
and who actually does practice law on IRS matters.
Hey, Elwell could get a memo from his imaginary
attorney on this.
--- Ma Be <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Dear Eddie,
>
> Just a point of order here. I'm afraid that what
> happens with USMA is the following: USMA *IS* a
> tax-exempt organization classified under the 501 (or
> is it 503?...) regulation (at least, so we're
> told...). As a consequence, *by definition*, or *in
> accordance to the law that guides such types of
> organizations*, USMA would be prevented from
> engaging in what the law calls *substantial*
> lobbying.
>
> Therefore, perhaps our only recourse with regards to
> getting USMA to participate more actively in
> lobbying efforts is to figure out a way that they
> could do that in *insubstantial* way.
>
> Elsewhere I proposed that it probably would cost in
> the neighborhood of some 90 US$ (ONLY!...) to
> conduct a simple lobbying effort such as writing an
> official letter to all MCs involved in this latest
> bill (from Senator Ehlers) in support thereof. The
> question would then be, would they be willing to
> engage in such action? Therefore, I'm hereby
> *officially* requesting that USMA seriously consider
> doing that. So, if there is any Board of Directors
> member here, please I'd like to kindly request that
> he or she bring this to the attention of the Board
> for consideration!
>
> Marcus
>
> On Tue, 19 Jun 2001 20:50:47
> eddie lechat wrote:
> >Being asked for input does not necessarily create
> any
> >difference at all in the legality of lobbying by
> the
> >usma. If this were the key, then of course any
> group
> >could circumvent the law through having friends in
> >Congress ask them, ask them, again and again, for
> >input.
> >
> >I am perfectly serious in asking whether the
> mythology
> >here in the list about whether the usma may lobby
> is
> >based on something some lawyer told this group. Or
> >else, I am eager to run down the myths here. Where
> >does it come from?
> >
> >If the usma wants to lay out a course of action,
> with
> >step #1,2,3,4, and our whole plan from here to
> >complete metrication, and if the usma wants to
> spend
> >usma money in promoting this plan, lobbying per se,
> >urging others to lobby, selling the plan, lobbying
> >right now in behalf of Ehlers bill this summer,
> etc.,
> >there is nothing in the law to stop the usma.
> >
> >Actually, there is nothing in the law to stop the
> usma
> >from doing anything at all in behalf of metrication
> >which there is any chance we might want to do.
> >
> >Please. I am tired of fighting some imaginary foe.
> I
> >want the name of whoever told you guys these silly
> >silly things.
> >--- Barbara and/or Bill Hooper
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >wrote:
> >> Recently I wrote:
> >>
> >> > Since the USMA was asked for their input, it is
> >> not called
> >> > lobbying BY THE LAW.
> >>
> >> I think I would have been more accurate to say:
> >>
> >> "... it is not kind of lobbying prohibited by the
> >> law."
> >>
> >> Bill Hooper
> >>
> >
> >
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