IRS commissioner John Koskinen probably meant to provide reassurance, but did no such thing yesterday in testimony yesterday. Via The Hill (hat tip: Gateway Pundit)

“Whenever we can, we follow the law,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen told the House Ways and Means subcommittee on health on Wednesday.

The response was appropriate:

Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), who leads the subcommittee, immediately expressed his concern with the remarks.

“I encourage you to follow the law in all instances,” Brady said.

This statement by the man in charge of getting to the bottom of one of the IRS’s former senior officials pleading the Fifth Amendment qualified as a genuine gaffe – telling the truth when evasion would be expected. The law, to Koskinen, evidently is a suggestion, not an ironclad requirement. That would explain a lot, including the destruction of evidence in Lois Lerner’s hard drive, Blackberry, and the revelation that five other IRS officials also have mysteriously also had their emails deleted. I can well understand how someone would feel they “can’t” follow the law when doing so would lead to jail.

This admission comes in a broader and frightening context. As Carol Brown writes:

There is a coordinated movement by progressives to silence dissenting voices. As Harry Reid continues to push legislation to alter the First Amendment that would have a chilling effect on political speech, the IRS continues its assault against conservatives. Most recently, Breitbart was informed that they (and their employees) will be audited.

Whenever I can, I put aside money to pay my taxes. But I doubt that the IRS would accept such practice as justification for underpayment.  

AS Carol says, “This is what we’ve come to: Tyrannical rulers are encouraged to do the right thing.”