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It seems we never learn. This is not the sort of post that I normally do but I feel compelled to talk about this subject and get some feedback on what you all are thinking and feeling about the subject. ACORN. Yep, the craziness of it and the reactions as we learn of more and more ugliness. Several recent issues come to my mind in the "we never learn" category:
1. Wasn't there a great deal of concern and requests for investigation for some time about the practices in the financial pit of Wall Street? Fears that we were heading for disaster? Did anyone react? Even listen? No, they had other pressing matters until the poo hit the fan.
2. I believe that this was also true about the ponzi scheme implemented by Bernie Madoff. Hmmm, yes there were repeated requests for investigation but, again, folks were riding high and chose to ignore this downer. That is until....well, you know.
3. ACORN - we heard about the questionable voter registration fraud a year ago, which sounds horrible but does not necessarily equate to voter fraud. This is not the first accusation of voter registration fraud either. They have a laundry list of serious issues on their card as well: embezzlement of nearly $1 million by Wade Rathke's brother (Mr. Rathke resigned from the group's board after covering for his brother's misdeeds), tax arrears, corruption and most recently accusations of aiding and abetting illegal immigration, prostitution, tax evasion and child abuse.
I was shocked by the ACORN employees in the Baltimore video who were suggesting ways to "not get caught" in the child abuse, tax evasion and prostitution scams. Then I watched the video tape from the San Diego office of Acorn and my mouth fell to the floor. This employee was touting herself as a former madam/prostitute and murderer...proudly. I guess you go with your area of expertise.
1. Wasn't there a great deal of concern and requests for investigation for some time about the practices in the financial pit of Wall Street? Fears that we were heading for disaster? Did anyone react? Even listen? No, they had other pressing matters until the poo hit the fan.
2. I believe that this was also true about the ponzi scheme implemented by Bernie Madoff. Hmmm, yes there were repeated requests for investigation but, again, folks were riding high and chose to ignore this downer. That is until....well, you know.
3. ACORN - we heard about the questionable voter registration fraud a year ago, which sounds horrible but does not necessarily equate to voter fraud. This is not the first accusation of voter registration fraud either. They have a laundry list of serious issues on their card as well: embezzlement of nearly $1 million by Wade Rathke's brother (Mr. Rathke resigned from the group's board after covering for his brother's misdeeds), tax arrears, corruption and most recently accusations of aiding and abetting illegal immigration, prostitution, tax evasion and child abuse.
I was shocked by the ACORN employees in the Baltimore video who were suggesting ways to "not get caught" in the child abuse, tax evasion and prostitution scams. Then I watched the video tape from the San Diego office of Acorn and my mouth fell to the floor. This employee was touting herself as a former madam/prostitute and murderer...proudly. I guess you go with your area of expertise.
Maybe you haven't heard but the 2 ACORN employees who were fired in Maryland are now suing the film makers, aka, the pimp and the prostitute. They are being represented by Baltimore attorney Andy Freeman who is also representing ACORN in this lawsuit. Mr. Freeman says that the pair caught on film have suffered extreme emotional distress. He further states that we all have the right to say dumb things in the privacy of our own homes or offices. They are asking for $2 million in compensatory damages (50% for ACORN) and total $3 million in punitive damages. But, of course, it's not about the money it's the principle.
President Obama is staying out of the details of this mud pit. Let's face it, ACORN didn't just start to be a problem In January 2009. They have been around a long time and through several administrations. Barney Frank is trying not to say anything in as many words as possible, the man is going to get dizzy soon. Republicans are using this to point fingers at Democrats. None of which is helping to stop the bleed.
I have heard so many different dollar amounts tossed around. I'm not sure if we will ever be told exactly how much of our tax money has been handed over to ACORN but, I for one, want my money back!
