ACORN Trains Citizens To Protest Home Foreclosures

[swampy]

BLACK..."Communism's got that little "no personal property" thingie.
You're talking about socialism, swampy. Normally you seem to understand a distinction like this-- what's up?"

Isn't my money my personal property? Especially in regard to who I may choose to be charitable to. I'm all for the government using my tax dollars for defense, infrastructure, space, National parks and all that stuff that benefits everyone. But I do object to the government taking my money and giving it to organizations that are corrupt and reek of cronyism.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

If ACORN is such an evil entity, how come nobody ever posted about them before March 2008?

[Black]

swampy wrote:
I don't understand why there are so many here that don't want anyone to even question the possibility of ACORN's graft and corruption. What is so sacred about ACORN? Do you deny that the FBI is investigating their financial records for malfeasance?

Swampy-- I live in Chicago. I've worked in crusty urban institutions for most of my current career, had exposure to all kinds of inner-city social service entities, collaborated with grass-roots and publicly funded "activist' groups with similar "empowerment" goals to Acorn.
I believe beyond any doubt whatsoever that there are Acorn staffers who do not follow the rules, and that resources are misappropriated.
But it's just not that frikkin' important right now. It's not more important than a zillion other screwed-up agencies at all ends of the political spectrum missappropriating some portion of their respective government gravy.
Basically what you're asking is why I'm not willing to put all my energy into joining a concerted effort to smear the Obama administration and anyone who's willing to give it a chance.

[Mac1337]

Black wrote:

But it's just not that frikkin' important right now. It's not more important than a zillion other screwed-up agencies at all ends of the political spectrum missappropriating some portion of their respective government gravy

Not important? May be but people are getting worked up about 50 cents ATM fee in another thread. I suggest you proclaim that thread as unimportant as well.

[swampy]

Black... I agree there are a lot of agencies that are guilty of sculduggery, ACORN being only one.

Ever heard the old cliché, "You can catch more flies with honey"? I just look at comparing the methods of ACORN and Habitat For Humanity. ACORN's militant, defiant and thuggish demeanor is a real turn off for those of us who try to work within the system (and not game it) compared to Habitat. The goal is to get people into affordable housing. Strident, activism is one way. Rolling up your sleeves and swinging a hammer is another. My preference is the latter.

[Pops]

swampy wrote:

You're damn right my feelings come from deep inside. It's called self survival. I'll help anyone who is willing to help himself, but I don't like the government telling me who to lend a hand to. What I do is charity. What you want is socialism. I'm a capitalist, you're a communist.

Is that clear enough for you?

Where IS your line drawn? Seriously. What about civil maintenance of roads and bridges? Or public education? Or an FAA to monitor air flight paths?

Seriously, where and how would you draw the line to public tax dollars being spent? I see abuse when I look at public spending, too. Is the abuse that I see more or less important than the abuse that you or anyone else sees?

There are some damned important issues here that never get discussed.

[swampy]

See my post 2/20 at 6:57 PM, Pops. I said I agree that those kinds of functions were within the Fed's purview.

You pick your "abuses", I'll pick mine. Maybe some we'll agree on, others we won't, but spreading the wealth is, in my opinion abuse. Taking my hard earned wages and giving them to someone else, especially someone who screwed up, sounds abusive to me.

[RgrF]

It's interesting because the right never ever rails against corporate welfare like the billions spent to subsidize agribusiness, or tax breaks for big oil but set aside a few bucks to maybe help keep a family from losing their home and they screech like banshees. :banghead:

[swampy]

RgrF... I'd like to know your background in agribusiness.

The left constantly rails against big business. Profit is a bad word. When businesses get taxed out of existence or nationalized, I guess you will be happy.

[Dennis S]

"The left constantly rails against big business. Profit is a bad word. When businesses get taxed out of existence or nationalized, I guess you will be happy."

How do you keep generating asinine meaningless cr@p in that festering noggin of yours?