The LuLac Edition #5, 189, October 22nd, 2024

 

ILLEGAL MAGA SIGNS

LIE

 BIG TIME

MAGA NEWS THIS WEEK

 

This week, new signs began appearing in Wilkes-Barre reading “Democrats for Trump,” but the signs are missing the legally required political disclosure. Without such disclaimers, these signs violate Pennsylvania election laws, which require clear information about who funded or authorized campaign materials. This one is on Pennsylvania Ave. Incidentally, the 3 signs we saw were accompanied by Rob Bresnahan signs, leading people to believe that a Bresnahan volunteer was placing them.

Update: In a related situation, signs opposing HB 300 are promoting a false narrative that the bill would allow boys to use girls' locker rooms. These anti-LGBTQ signs were admitted to be the work of Benny Herring, president of the Citizens Advisory of Pennsylvania. Herring claims he and a “coalition of fathers” is responsible. Since Citizens Advisory operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, this raises serious red flags, as the group is legally prohibited from endorsing political candidates or lobbying for legislation. Their involvement could amount to a violation of nonprofit regulations. Adding to the confusion, McKayla Kathio, a Republican candidate for the 118th District, initially said the signs were funded by Citizens Advisory but later backtracked, saying they were paid for by Herring.

Update: In another example of unethical behavior, Jamie Walsh, founder and former president of Citizens Advisory, posted photos of himself and his son illegally placing campaign signs along I-80 in Monroe Township, which is against PennDOT regulations. These signs were eventually removed by PennDOT. While they technically included a disclosure, it was printed so small it could barely be seen in the photos. Ironically, the signs were funded by Commonwealth Partners, a PAC backed by billionaire Jeffrey Yass—the same donor Citizens Advisory often criticizes for his political contributions. Yass has also funded a flyer and TV ad in support of Walsh’s campaign, adding yet another layer of hypocrisy to the situation.

Local MAGA Trump Church

The Tree of Life Church in Plymouth is at it again, this time targeting voters who support abortion rights. In the past, their messages have been anti-LGBTQ, pro-gun, and pro-Trump. If the church wants to engage in political advocacy, perhaps they should also explore paying taxes. Under current IRS regulations, churches and other tax-exempt organizations are prohibited from participating in political campaigns or endorsing candidates. Engaging in such activities could jeopardize their tax-exempt status.

And this action by the Tree of Life Christians is just one more example that when people ask me about my religion, I tell them I’m a Roman Catholic and not a Christian. To say the latter would be identifying with these so-called followers of the Lord. I would love to see their nontaxable status reversed.

For more information on the legal boundaries for churches in politics, visit the IRS guidelines: Charities, Churches, and Politics.https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/charities-churches-and-politics