The Acorn Sting

When high level bank executives swindled the public and nearly destroyed our economy, Congress gave the banking industry 750 billion dollars. When 3 or 4 low level employees of Acorn engaged in misconduct, Congress withdrew their federal funding. I know nothing about Acorn---whether or not it is a corrupt organization as conservatives claim or is a force for good and an aid to the poor as it claims. According to its website, there are 1200 local Acorn neighborhood chapters in 40 states. Assuming that statistic is true, the misconduct of a few employees should not result in the condemnation of the entire organization, particularly considering the motives of those operating the sting.

I am from New Jersey, and I remember watching with considerable disbelief a video of Senator Harrison Williams accepting a very substantial bribe in the Abscam case. No one suggested that all Senators should lose their federal salaries as a result. It may be that eventually after a full and fair investigation that the withdrawal of federal funding will be deemed to have been justified, but the speed of this action cannot be. It is a symptom of what is happening in this country. Suspicion, fear, false rumors and accusations, bigotry and hatred are the driving force rather than calm and reasoned deliberation after a careful and thoughtful review of all of the relevant facts and arguments.