Let ACORN Get Its House in Order

ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis announced that former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger will lead an independent inquiry into the "organizational systems and processes" of the embattled group's social services, and said that ACORN will make public the results of that inquiry. This is an important step in getting this organization back on track.

A lot has been said about the videotaped hoax that was perpetrated on ACORN and how the staff in a few of their field offices responded. And it's certainly true that there have been significant problems at ACORN over the years.

But we all need to ask what the recent events involving ACORN mean to families and communities across America.

We face multiple crises in jobs, health care, housing, education, and other problems -- and the out-of-control influence of corporate money in policy making.

Nonprofit organizations that stand up for the powerless in our society and that provide vital services in our communities have never been needed more than they are today.

This comes at a time when nonprofits are being asked to meet dramatically increased needs with substantially reduced funding.

And yet, at this moment of greatest need, both houses of Congress have set an unbelievably ill-advised and dangerous precedent.

Responding to those made-for-YouTube incidents and their pumped up circulation on Fox News, all Republicans and most Democrats voted to prohibit ACORN from ever competing for a federal contract or federal grant.

Congress stepped out of its legislative role and rushed to judgment, acting as judge, jury, and prosecutor. That is not how we should do things in this country.

I'm not surprised, though. Targeting ACORN is part of a decades-long effort to "defund the left."

It's not the first time we have heard that word "defund." For thirty years, the right wing and their allies in Congress have tried to "defund" nonprofit organizations that organize and advocate on behalf of everyday Americans.

In the 1980s, conservatives began what they called a campaign to "defund the left," starting with groups such as the Audubon Society and the Urban League.

The Reagan administration, acting on the basis of a Heritage Foundation proposal, proposed an executive order that would have prohibited an organization that received federal funds from using its own funds to engage in issue advocacy or lobbying. That un-American proposal set off so much protest from nonprofit, religious, and charitable organizations that the proposal was dropped.

In 1995, Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK) tried again. He introduced an amendment that would have prohibited nonprofits who received federal funds from lobbying even with nonfederal dollars. A coalition of nonprofit groups fought that legislation and it was defeated.

And now today, as right-wing activist Andrew Breitbart told the Washington Post, "everybody that is a conservative news junkie thinks that ACORN is the most important institution for us to uncover to the American public."

ACORN -- despite all of its problems -- does work that is worth saving. They have helped tens of thousands of responsible low- and moderate-income families understand their rights and prevent foreclosures so they could stay in their homes. Its 400,000 members have played a leading role in winning local ordinances that require big companies that receive public dollars to pay a living wage. It has helped 1.7 million poor and working class people register to vote.

As ACORN takes steps to get its house in order, Congress should take a deep breath and give this process time to work.

 

 

Follow Nan Aron on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NanAron

Comments

[Pablo175]

Shouldn't they separate their political activities from their social work?

[Matt Osborne - Huffpost Blogger]

They already do.

[MyNameIsJames]

The Left have got to fight fire with fire. Don't throw ACORN overboard - demand accountability then it is time to RETALIATE! That means investigating and pulling the cover off Republican­/Conservat­ives orgs who are not "above board"

As Progressives besides talking to the American people - and holding the Dems accountable - we should be engaged in "below the belt", "down and dirty" fight with Conservatives - no holds barred!

We need a few organizations that are focused on creating confusion and chaos within the Conservative movement.

[Matt Osborne - Huffpost Blogger]

A good review of the history here.

I've been watching the ACORN videos, and it's becoming clear to me that there's a selective editing process at work. The most "shocking" moments are ripped completely from all context.

[Pablo175]

Don't defend the indefensible.

[Matt Osborne - Huffpost Blogger]

What's "indefensible"? O'Keefe and Giles concocted a pretext. The ACORN workers are being judged by the pretext and not their own actions or words. Have a look for yourself, if you dare:

http://www.osborneink.com/2009/09/acorn-san-diego-mucha-dificultad-sobre.html

[TruEngineHearing]

"Defunding the left" is indeed an anthem of the righties, and it's because it is a successful weapon of political warfare against the left - which the middle barely likes anyway.

The organized left looks like an ineffective, dumb mob, whereas the organized right looks like a smart, winning enterprise

[Gidster]

Even though only corporate interests are served by the right. If you are not a wealthy donor, you are only a political pawn to be used up and discarded.

[Skepticat]

Always amazed at efforts to muzzle "dangerous leftists" like the audobon society over the pittance they get in grant money while the same Republicans put up a spirited defence of lobbying Bank Speech - payed for out of hundreds of BILLIONS in bailout money. As to ACORN - they need to clean house for sure - but - is proper voter registration a desirable act in the publicke goode worthy of support with reasonable safe guards- or is it something to be ruthless suppressed unless those recruited only vote republican?

[txbadger83]

how can you defend accorn ? how can anybody? get your heads out of the sand

[Gidster]

What has ACORN as an organization done? A few employees acted with out proffessionalism, so you condemn the entire organization?

Then you should also condemn Lockheed Martin, DynaCorp, Blackwater, FreedomWorks, AFP, the RNC, Goldman Sachs, AIG, Bank of America etc. etc.

You have a very convenient sense of outrage...­..

[middleoftheroad]

The poor needs people to fight for them, I agree...th­is group though is totally corrupt, and it goes all the way to the top!

[CrzyRussell]

I bet other organizations can step in and use that money more efficientl­y... and help MORE of the needy.

It's not like ACORN is the only group who can do the job..

[InLosAngeles]

Hoax? A hoax like NBC/Perverted Justice used to catch people on the internet soliciting sex with minors? Ok. Got it.

The mafia in the North End of Boston used to have their people shovel the sidewalks of little old ladies in winter and help carry their groceries upstairs.

[fallingsky]

17 states have ACORN under criminal investigation,,,, These added atrocious revelations only add .

[classicalgeek]

When President Bush called the Audobon Society a "terrorist organization," one has to wonder . . . .

[ParacelsusTheophrastus]

The Audubon Society is the left? As in bird watching? The conservatives are more crazy than I ever imagined. They are wasting precious time and resources.

[climber82]

I find the actions in ACORN offices caught on tape incredibly disturbing. However, I agree that this attack seems to be part of a broader effort to diminish efforts of lefty nonprofits. Thanks for making this important point Nan.

[Gidster]

Since no crime was actually committed, and the employees were fired that should have been the end of it, but the right really want ACORN and all they do and all they stand for destroyed.