ACORN Act -- Cuts off funds to organizations convicted of felonies

[palemale]

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) has introduced legislation know as the ACORN Act. The acronym stands for Against Corporations Organizing to Rip-off the Nation. Under her legislation, government contractors convicted of a felony would be barred from getting federal contracts. Of course, since Acorn has not been convicted of committing a felony yet, it would not defund them. It would defund loads of defense contractors. As Senator Bernie Sanders points out in the below clip on the Rachel Maddow Show, the top three federal contractors have been convicted or found to have committed some misconduct 109 times in recent years.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/06/maddow-bernie-sanders-hig_n_310935.html
Should Congress enact the ACORN Act? Is it hypocritical for congress people to vote to defund Acorn only, which hasn't been found guilty of any felonies, but not to vote for the ACORN Act?

 

[jackoroe]

Yes, the name of the act in itself is monumentally stupid in light of ACORN'S antics.

The incredible arrogance of Congress isn't exactly winning the hearts and minds of their constituencies.

 

[noah617]

Seems to me to be a pretty clever way to point out that certain members of Congress are much more likely to act against an organization that may cost them votes than against one that may rip the country off.

 

[Centexfarmer]

I hope that there's an addendum to this bill that insures that Congressional Felons also don't receive a pension!

End pensions for congressional felons


But we know that aint' going to happen.

 

[grantt]

Yes, the name of the act in itself is monumentally stupid in light of ACORN'S antics.

The incredible arrogance of Congress isn't exactly winning the hearts and minds of their constituencies.

True that!

 

[01solara]

I hope that there's an addendum to this bill that insures that Congressional Felons also don't receive a pension!

End pensions for congressional felons


But we know that aint' going to happen.

That's change I could believe in but your right it ain't gonna happen

 

[Centexfarmer]

That's change I could believe in but your right it ain't gonna happen

Welcome to *cough* Representative Democracy.

And they wonder why some of us become so jaded and cynical.

 

[palemale]

I agree on the pensions. Many states and municipalities deny pensions in some circumstances to employees discharged for serious misconduct or criminal activity. I think in many cases, the employee doesn't necessarily have to be convicted. Seems if the janitor at city hall can lose his pension for stealing a hammer, a congressperson who rips off the taxpayer ought to suffer the same fate.

Nevertheless, corruption by corporations is far more costly to the taxpayer. And who, exactly, do you think is paying bribes and doing favors for corrupt congresspeople? Corporations that get a slap on the wrist when caught.

 

[Jack Springer]

I'm glad that people seem to be waking up about ACORN.

The sub-topic -- pensions for member of Congress. Why should congressmen have pensions? Many companies have dropped their pension plans -- replacing them with increased contributions to 401(k) plans -- some companies have stopped doing anything in regards to retirement for the regular employee.

If social security if good enough for the regular person, it should be good enough for congressmen. Since their salary has gone up -- they can save money.

 

[palemale]

I'm glad that people seem to be waking up about ACORN.

Jack, did you read my post? The ACORN Act would only cut off funds to organizations that have been convicted of a felony. Thus, it would cut off no funds to Acorn, because they have not yet been convicted of a felony. It would cut off funds to many large corporations, including some defense contractors, because they have been convicted of felonies. The purpose of the Act was to demonstrate the hypocrisy of those who would cut funding to Acorn, but not corporations.