RealTown's RealTalk

Here is a good editorial from the Wall Street Journal on ACORN http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122394051071230749.html?mod=djemEditorialPage

Jeff Launiere, P.A., CPS, e-PRO, TRC
Keller Williams Realty
Tampa, FL
813-469-3163
info@SweetHomeTampa.com
http://www.SweetHomeTampa.com
http://www.HomesOfTampaFL.com

Thanks Jeff! I read the editorial from WSJ. It was very helpful.

It sounds like ACORN has an extensive history of voter fraud. 

For a realistic account of Acorn and their activities check WSJ today's edition page A20, " Obama and Acorn"

Lorraine Burch wrote:
 

Dear All,
Regardless of how many charitable things you do, the conversation on ACORN
here has not helped me to understand the organization It is amazing how much
emotion there is in the air these days. (I hope that we all give back to our
communities.)
A few months ago, I was searching the internet for resources for homeowners
faced with pre-foreclosure. One of the sites that I found was ACORN Housing.
Here are my notes:
3) ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) Housing
provides counseling for troubled homeowners through their help line
1-866-67-ACORN. www.acorn.org
ACORN Offices offer foreclosure fairs, where borrowers can meet with
counselors
Orlando Office
120 E. Colonial Dr.
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407-423-9832
FAX: 407-420-4508
flacornorro@acorn.org
 

It sounded very nice to me. I prefer to recommend credit counseling that is
not affiliated with any lending institution, as lenders have often counseled
customers to take out loans that are too burdensome for their income levels.
So I was astounded to hear on CNN that ACORN is suspected of voter
registration fraud.
I am surprised at the vehemence expresssed against this organization and the
need for political types to distance themselves from this organization.
For now, I guess I should not recommend that anyone contact ACORN.
What do you guys recommend for credit counseling?
 

---
 

ACORN Housing is a vital and energetic community based group that serves its
constituents well... the services they provide are among the best out there,
from my understanding...
 

I have no clue why the group suddenly is overtaken by this propaganda
campaign that seems to indicate they are almost a terrorist group of some
sort, undermining the country... but they are not... just a viable community
organizing group, with valid services... use them, as we have, and they have
always done well by their constituents... perhaps, as is the case here with
some folks, some folks don't think that underprivileged people, or people in
less wealthy communities, or minority groups, deserve to be represented as
are Realtors, Financial Industry groups, manufacturing groups, labor viz a
viz trade unions, etc... some it seems prefer that only those who can afford
to pay lobbyists should have representation in government... but I do not
feel that way... personally, I feel that if we call on you to defend this
Nation, that you should have lobbyists in your court... that is, if we allow
lobbyists at all... The wealthy will always have a voice in government,
because it really serves them... but so far the poor have not had that sort
of representation... and when they get it, as with ACORN, people throw all
sorts of complaints at the organization...
 

The inconsistencies in these arguments are demonstrable, and clear enough to
anyone who looks.
 

At least we might want to be consistent... but then, I realize that is
asking a lot.
 

Paul Silver, Esq.
Focus Professionals, Inc.

Here is a good editorial from the Wall Street Journal on ACORNhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB122394051071230749.html?mod=djemEditorialPage

Mark, you seem to think that voter registration and/or voter fraud is all that ACORN does... please don't throw the baby out with the bath-water.

Today, I was speaking with a very nice older lady, that is about to lose her house (I was doing a BPO). She said she was thinking about calling ACORN to see if they could help. I explained to her the problems ACORN is having right now, and that by all means to go ahead and call them, but to understand that they might be quite distracted. She is behind on payments in a house she has lived in for 20yrs, and has never refinanced.... medical issues, etc. She paid like $46K for it, so her balance would be very low. If ACORN can't help her, she is sunk. House is barely worth $60K-$65K... but this could be a case where the bank would make money on foreclosure.
I hope ACORN can help her, because it is really haunting me.

This past week, 38 of our Houston Police Officers were suspended for wrong-doing (time-cards, etc.).... Do you think we should hate or eliminate the entire police force for the wrong-doings of those 38?
Condemning ACORN is just as ridiculous. They had some over-zealous idiots, okay. But all this tunnel-vision regarding ACORN is driving me nuts.

Lindy in Houston

Mark Ryan in quoting and writing a response to Paul Silver -

Finally, "the rancor about ACORN is simply unfounded... someone should understand what they are criticizing before they go ahead and criticize it"
Well I agree with HALF your statement... It is FOUNDED... when 13, thats right 13 states as of today have criminal investigations into Acorn and voter fraud you may want to think it IS founded??? One or two... who knows... 13 where there is smoke there is FIRE... Oboma can LIE but the truth is that he is all over Acorn and they are all over him...

First off, it is NOT voter fraud. It is a case of fraudulent voter registration - and there is a HUGE difference! No one has actually voted yet - except by absentee ballot - and those will be verified to be legitimate too before they will be counted.

Furthermore, the Republicans have been supporters of ACORN as well. Go see the article, "ACORN: McCain And GOP Used To Be Supporters" along with photos of many notable Republicans including a photo of John McCain attending its March 2006 rally. From http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/13/acorn-mccain-and-gop-used_n_134284.html - here are some excerpts -

"It was a reminder that, for all their electoral histrionics, Republicans have aligned themselves with ACORN in the past.

Indeed, in addition to the McCain photo, there is a host of examples of prominent McCain surrogates attending ACORN events, signing ACORN legislation, or complimenting the group's efforts.

In July 2005, meanwhile, another Republican governor, Rick Perry of Texas, signed ACORN's Lending Law Reform Bill that changed the state's homelending practices.

In July 2008, California Governor and McCain supporter Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill that ACORN helped draft aimed at California homeowners facing foreclosure.

In June 2007, Minnesota Governor and McCain VP short-lister Tim Pawlenty signed a similar bill -- drafted by ACORN -- that helped homeowners get fairer deals on their mortgages.

As Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney signed an anti-predatory lending bill that ACORN supported. In February 2006, Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman met with the ACORN Katrina Survivors Association. And back in July 2005, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg actually got a kiss from ACORN's state leader, according to the publication City Limits, during an announcement that the city would protect or create 65,000 affordable units in a new housing proposal. Bloomberg, it should be noted, has not endorsed a candidate."
------------------

So obviously both parties have been supporters of ACORN over the years. Fraudulent voter registration does nothing for either party or either candidate but muddy the debate. But fortunately, we have officials in every state and every jurisdiction who take their jobs seriously to verify voter registrations,

Win

**********************
Win Singleton, CRB, e-PRO
Associate Broker
Northern Virginia Real Estate, Inc.
1018 Shipman Lane, Suite 200 
McLean, VA 22101
(703) 536-7631
wins@winsingleton.com
Licensed in Virginia
**********************
 

....>>I have no clue why the group suddenly is overtaken by this propaganda
campaign<<

It is so obvious why there is so much propaganda in regard to ACORN.
Because there is one side of the election equation that at each election
cycle works to suppress votes, while the other side of the equation works to
make sure everyone gets to vote. Voter suppression is something that
actually happens often, especially in poorer neighborhoods, while voter
fraud is actually quite rare. Any research at all will show you this. I'll
let you figure out which side likes to suppress votes. I do not have a very
high opinion of them.

In ACORN's case, ACORN hires poor people to do voter registration as a way
of helping these people get some cash in their pockets. As a result, some
of the people they hire take advantage of ACORN and fill out false
registrations just to get the money that ACORN pays for their quota of
registrations. ACORN is the loser in this situation, and the election
process is NOT affected because the fraudulent registrations are not people
-- the registrations are just pieces of paper. "Mickey Mouse" does not turn
up to vote! ACORN is the first to point out when the registrations are
fraudulent, but they are required to turn them in anyway. There is voter
registration fraud (mostly against ACORN) but NOT voter fraud.

This is a big media hype job, promulgated by the corporate media just to
throw more sand in our eyes. Don't you all just get sick of it? Look how
much energy this hype job has taken on this list, wasting time. I wish
people would smarten up.

Kedda Keough
Shelton Land & Homes, LLC