ACORN at My Door?

I was concerned when I read that the group ACORN had been chosen to help with the 2010 census. I wasn't too keen on giving my personal info to that group. To find out if this was still a possibility, in light of the groups troubles last year, I wrote my representative, Jim Jordan. Here is his thoughtful and in-depth reply:

February 12, 2010


Dear Ms. Yoder:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). This organization has flaunted American election law and used taxpayer dollars for illicit purposes. I appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns with me, and I welcome the opportunity to provide you with an update.

For years, ACORN has been criticized for being complicit in voter fraud, particularly in the last Presidential election. But they have never truly been punished. Those of us who believe the right to vote is sacred, and free-and-fair elections guarantee our most basic American freedoms, recognize that systematic voter fraud committed by members of ACORN and their leadership causes our whole democracy to suffer.

ACORN's roots are deeply planted in radical socialism. The group's history is one of irresponsible and untrustworthy behavior, including corruption, embezzlement, cover-ups, and misuse of taxpayer funds. Their most recent scandal was revealed by two student-aged investigative reporters who used undercover video to expose ACORN workers providing advice on how to avoid federal tax laws in order to run a prostitution ring from an ACORN-sponsored home.

Since the release of these eye-opening tapes, the U.S. Census has cut ties with ACORN, and both the U.S. House and Senate have taken action to strip federal funding from ACORN in current appropriations bills. Congressman Darrell Issa, the top-ranking Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Congressman Lamar Smith, Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee have both announced plans for an investigation into ACORN's corruption.

In other legislative efforts, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann of Minnesota has proposed a bill to prohibit the distribution of taxpayer dollars to any individual or organization that is under indictment for violation under federal or state law for election fraud. Along with Congresswoman Bachmann, Congressman John Boehner of Ohio has led the effort to block all government funds to ACORN until federal investigations are complete. As a supporter of this effort, I have become a co-sponsor of the bill and will continue working toward its adoption.

Our assessment of the current situation is that, while all of the efforts to de-fund ACORN are welcome, it is imperative that we continue to keep a watchful eye to make sure the politicians in Washington D.C. don't somehow sneak the money back into the bills. Remember, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her House Democrat leadership has ignored or outright defended ACORN through all of their previous scandals, only recently buckling to public pressure to act once the undercover investigative videotapes were released.

As your Congressman, I will make sure that I do everything necessary to protect our freedom to vote in an untainted and impartial election. Be assured that as the continuing investigation into ACORN progresses, I will make sure to closely monitor the situation.

I hope you will find this information helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any other concerns or questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at (202) 225-2676, or by e-mail through our website at http://jordan.house.gov.

Sincerely,Jim JordanMember of Congress

Sincerely,
Jim Jordan
Member of Congress