Sen. Chuck Schumer‘s endorsement of President Obama‘s use of the IRS to target and harass Tea Party, conservative and evangelical nonprofits is further evidence that many contemporary liberals are comfortable using government power to squelch political opponents. They are even willing to steamroll one of America’s most cherished rights — freedom of speech — to thwart people with views contrary to their own. Speaking to the Center for American Progress last week, Schumer decried the Tea Party’s influence on House Republicans and declared that “there are many things that can be done administratively by the IRS and other government agencies — we must redouble those efforts immediately.”

By “redouble,” does Schumer mean expand the IRS efforts beyond the more than 200 groups already targeted and harassed? The tax agency possesses a rich trove of tools with which it can make life miserable for those expressing unapproved views. So, does he have in mind censoring what can be said or published by these groups? Or is the New York senator thinking more along the lines of seizing assets from individuals associated with the proscribed groups? Might he be planning on introducing a Tea Party tax to be collected by the IRS?