Dear Friends,
Less than two weeks before what many have properly described as the most consequential election in several generations, one organization, ACORN, has been linked to some of most egregious practices involving voter 'registration.' And, when coupled with the financial crisis and the collapse (and subsequent government takeover) of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, we have just begun to realize the insidious nature of this organization's infiltration of our political system. Truth be told: ACORN has received millions in taxpayer money to date and has spearheaded a massive effort to systematically disenfranchise millions of legally-registered voters thereby undermining our election system.
The long-held ties between ACORN and the Democrat Party are troubling to say the least. In July, I voted against the Fannie/Freddie bailout bill for several reasons, not the least of which was that it allocated a portion of the massive $300 billion price tag to an affordable housing slush fund specifically designed to fund left-wing political activist groups like ACORN who have used intimidation tactics to force lenders into lending to unqualified prospective homebuyers. Notably, when the massive financial markets bailout was first proposed, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd and House Financial Services Committee Barney Frank inserted a provision that would have earmarked approximately 20% of revenue received (from re-selling the mortgages) to the affordable housing slush fund. Conservative estimates would have placed the revenue stream to groups like ACORN in hundreds of billions of dollars. However, in order to garner enough support to pass, this provision was stripped from the bill before passage.
ACORN was, at least in part, responsible for the financial crisis that has gripped the headlines recently. ACORN is infamous for its guerilla tactics in bullying banks to lend to unqualified borrowers. They aggressively lobbied Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to loosen mortgage requirements and were part of a concerted effort to corral support for risky down payment assistance programs that many times saddle borrowers with unmanageable debt. And, when borrowers default, the taxpayers end up holding the bag.
Recent reports, however, of widespread voter fraud throughout the country are unsettling, though not surprising, as we continue to learn about ACORN's practices. In no less than 14 states, ACORN is under investigation by federal authorities for voter fraud and, in several instances, ACORN employees have pleaded guilty. The reports are alarming. One man confessed to being registered by ACORN over 70 times. In another instance, a 7 year old boy was registered to vote. Individuals have reported being offered cigarettes to register multiple times and there are confirmed reports of homeless individuals being registered to vote under the understanding that they must vote for Barack Obama. When we consider the states that have opened voter fraud investigations and proceeded with prosecution of ACORN-associated individuals, we find at least one common thread: these cases are largely occurring in so-called swing states and battleground Congressional districts. In Ohio, for example, nearly one-third of the more than 600,000 new voter registration forms have serious deficiencies and are under question as to their authenticity.
Barack Obama's association with this fraudulent left-wing community organization is troubling though, like most of his associations, not altogether surprising. In reports widely circulating, though not trumpeted, in the news media, the Obama campaign donated nearly $1 million dollars to ACORN for 'get out the vote' activities. Furthermore, in his days as a community organizer in Chicago, where counting every vote includes both the deceased and the fictitious, Obama ran voter registration trainings with an ACORN-allied organization, Project Vote. Obama has also admitted to representing ACORN in legal proceedings and, while serving on the Board of the Woods Fund with Weather Underground member/bomber Bill Ayers, he funneled over $200,000 in grants to ACORN. As both a state legislator and U.S. Senator, Obama has steered earmarks and pork-barrel projects to ACORN. There is no doubt that ACORN is trying to steal the upcoming election and that it will be handsomely rewarded by a President Obama. In fact in December 2007, Obama remarked that even before he is inaugurated, he will bring ACORN and other groups to the table to help 'shape the agenda.' Can you say quid pro quo?
ACORN must not be allowed to continue to receive federal funding. A recent study found that since 1998 ACORN has received $31 million in federal taxpayer money, a total that does not include millions it has received from state and local government agencies that received federal block grants which are dispersed at their discretion.
When questioned about his campaign donations to ACORN resulting in the likely disenfranchisement of millions of voters across the country, Obama remarked that he did not need ACORN. If that is the case, he needs to repudiate their corrupt practices. ACORN's unimpeded free ride to engage in voter fraud must be derailed. The American people must join me and other members of Congress to call for the end of subsidizing practices that are undermining our democracy.
Best regards,