The ACORN Scandal: Videos used voiceovers

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  1. William R. Wilson profile image61
    William R. Wilsonposted 14 years ago

    Looks like the ACORN video was a hatchet job after all:

    "The videos that have been released appear to have been edited, in some cases substantially, including the insertion of a substitute voiceover for significant portions of Mr. O'Keefe's and Ms. Giles's comments, which makes it difficult to determine the questions to which ACORN employees are responding. A comparison of the publicly available transcripts to the released videos confirms that large portions of the original video have been omitted from the released versions."

    Story here:

    http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.c … onduct.php

    full report here (PDF):

    http://www.proskauer.com/files/uploads/report2.pdf

    1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
      Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Voice over? How do you people sleep at night?

      1. profile image0
        sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        A conscious is outlawed in any and all socialist and communist regimes.

        1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
          Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Its amazing the lengths they will go to  to find justification for a criminal organization!

          1. William R. Wilson profile image61
            William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            What's your proof that ACORN is a criminal organization? 

            I want something that would stand up in a court of law, not unsubstantiated allegations based on edited videos. 

            You are so certain - so let's see your evidence. 

            Congress has found no wrongdoing.  The law firm that reviewed ACORNs case found no wrongdoing.  What else do you have?

            1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
              Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

              My proof? How about the criminal prosecutions and CONVICTIONS of many of their representatives, I guess that wouldn't be enough for you? Let me guess, those employees acted all on their own?

              1. William R. Wilson profile image61
                William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Which ones?  Give me links, so we can determine if they acted on their own or not.

                1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
                  Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  G O O G L E!  I'm not here to supply you links, the info is there!

                  1. William R. Wilson profile image61
                    William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                    So you're here to make allegations but you don't have to be accountable for the allegations?

        2. mikelong profile image61
          mikelongposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          And ignorance is a prerequisite for identification with the aggressor syndrome....Too much of it flows around here unfortunately...

          1. profile image0
            sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            It was just an observation larry.

          2. Mitch Rapp profile image60
            Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Get an education then because your ignorance is showing!

            1. mikelong profile image61
              mikelongposted 14 years agoin reply to this

              Obviously.

              Living in Los Angeles can provide a wealth of perspective, especially when one knows how it has come to be.

              To really have a discussion on this issue I believe that there is prerequisite knowledge that everyone shares, something which few here are manifesting.

              I'm not saying that we all have to agree, but we all should at least be able to objectively look at the whole picture prior to discussion, because then we turn into this (see attached quoted section above). 

              I would like to suggest a few, but everyone should feel free to share sources:

              1) The Fragmented Metropolis by Fogelson

              2) The Holy Land: A Suburban Memoir by D.J. Waldie

              3) Eden By Design by Greg Hise et al

              4) City of Quartz by Mike Davis

              5) Voices of A People's History of the United States...the whole thing is great, but focus in on an article entitled "In LA, Burning All Illusions" also by Mike Davis

              6) View the movie "Chinatown"


              There are more...but this is a decent start.

              Aside from my service time, I have lived in the San Fernando Valley, and spent a great proportion of my time throughout the city...

              Groups that serve to regulate business/private interests are being torn down all around me.

              The prisons here in California are increasingly privatized. Having persons close to me who have spent various times in various places of incarceration, I also have a wealth of perspective of how the penal system is working....I'm watching prisoners being turned into ATM cards...accessing the already struggling bank accounts/assets period of their families on the outside...

              I am watching the schools I attended being taken over by non-profit arms of technology product producing corporations from out of state.....

              I work for the State through a non-profit organization servicing foster youth in the city and county of Los Angeles...

              I also worked for a school photography company..going around and taking students' pictures for their yearbooks and such...

              From Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School to Malibu High School, I saw where the money is assorted, and where it selectively isn't.

              I can go on, but won't now. If you people are really serious, and not, for many here, simply spouting not much more than hot air, then let us point to more than an article somewhere...

              I have now begun my part, who is willing to follow along?

              Serious anybody?

              1. William R. Wilson profile image61
                William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Is that crickets I hear?

                1. William R. Wilson profile image61
                  William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Still no response from the right wing peanut gallery?  You guys are so sure of yourself - where are your sources?

                  1. profile image0
                    sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                    I know! Whats wrong with us they only want to establish new markets and store fronts for new buisness enterprises.

      2. William R. Wilson profile image61
        William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        Did you read the report smartguy?  Did you read the Congressional report that Ralph posted? 

        Hatchet job.

  2. profile image0
    Brenda Durhamposted 14 years ago

    I doubt that company hired BY ACORN to "independently investigate" ACORN are unbiased.
    That's probably the REAL "hatchet job"----chopping up the truth into little scattered bits that hide underneath the liberal tree.

    1. Presigo profile image59
      Presigoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I like that line !!! good job !

    2. habee profile image93
      habeeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Good one, Brenda.

  3. William R. Wilson profile image61
    William R. Wilsonposted 14 years ago

    I'm sure those of you who already have your minds made up won't bother, but this is worth reading.  Includes links to the full transcripts of the videos.

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/28 … r-Does-It-(Yes,-*Another*-ACORN-Diary)

    quote:

    "What planet do you folks live on that you think most of the people staffing ACORN offices (poor, uneducated, living in neighborhoods where petty criminality is just that - petty) actually BELIEVED that James O'Keefe was a pimp? After all, unless I missed it somewhere in the transcripts (I might have, so please show it to me) at no time did James O'Keefe identify himself as a pimp.  Despite his outlandish get up, which was given so much credibility by both the Left and the Right that I can only presume (a) none of y'all have ever met, seen, or interacted with a real pimp since the early 1980's and (b) folks have either an addiction to Blaxploitation flicks or (like myself) an addiction to one of the most side-splitting send-ups ever filmed, Attack of the Killer Street Pimps from that 1980's classic, Hollywood Shuffle.

    Certainly, we have some indication that that every ACORN worker did not take the visual bait of O'Keefe's ridiculous get-up.  In San Bernadino there are multiple indicia that the ACORN worker was playing Hannah Giles and James O'Keefe harder than they were playing her - her statement at one point that she is taking them to meet the 73-year old guy across the street for advice even though she "just met him a few days ago" and "he likes young women" because she "doesn't want to waste ACORN's time" since it would not have "anything to do with this" (San Bernadino TR. P. 37.)"

  4. SOBF profile image62
    SOBFposted 14 years ago

    Acorn has been accused of voter fraud, tax fraud, and assisting an ongoing criminal enterprise. Sounds like one could walk away with some serious racketeering charges for such crimes. So, why has no one at Acorn been held legally accountable?

    Because none of these accusation carry any merit. I find it amazing how the party of morality can build an entire campaign on lies and people still follow them. A perfect example of this was the voter fraud complaints by seasoned right wing politicians during the Presidential campaign. People who know better than anyone that voter registration fraud and voter fraud are two entirely different things. Yet, over and over again they repeat the words voter fraud. Where is the integrity, honesty, and morality the right claims to be at the core of its value structure.

  5. tony0724 profile image59
    tony0724posted 14 years ago

    I just want to ask if ACORN is not guilty of anything why did they throw away so many documents locally here when they knew they were going to be investigated ? I would think they would have presented them if they had nothing to hide.

  6. habee profile image93
    habeeposted 14 years ago

    From everything I've read about ACORN, they're a mixture of good and bad. Some of the branches do excellent work, and others are "shady." Perhaps they just need more oversight of the various arms.

  7. William R. Wilson profile image61
    William R. Wilsonposted 14 years ago

    Tony - what city are you talking about, and what were they being investigated for? 

    In reading the report I found that the people on the videos were part time employees or volunteers, not employed directly by ACORN, but by ACORN housing.  The difference is a little ambiguous but ACORN is the organization that does Voter registration and community organizing, and ACORN housing is separate. 

    What I have read of the Baltimore transcript is very interesting as well.  The ACORN advisor starts giving tax advice long before the duo state anything is illegal.  And, as I read, I realized that the ACORN employee was trying to get them to file a tax return, which is required by law whether the source of income is legal or not.  So in a sense the ACORN employee was trying to get them to follow the law, not assisting them in breaking it. 

    The transcripts are really worth reading.

  8. profile image58
    C.J. Wrightposted 14 years ago

    If there were something to this, I would expect MSNBC, CNN and ABC to be all over this.....

    1. profile image0
      Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Nah, not the channels that are still in awe of the "great" Obama.
      They're gutless in the face of the huge political-correctness monster that's been created by such things as the ACLU and PETA and the homosexual agenda and instigated by Obama himself.

      1. William R. Wilson profile image61
        William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        Hmm.  So if the media doesn't report on this, there's nothing to it.  On the other hand, if the media does report on it, there's nothing to it. 

        Heh. 

        Why don't you read the report and the video transcripts and decide for yourself?

      2. blue dog profile image60
        blue dogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        wow, the aclu, peta, and the homosexual agenda...

        now there's a segment of society we should fear.

        impressive.

        1. Ron Montgomery profile image62
          Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Protecting the constitutional rights of animals to sodomize each other?

          1. profile image58
            C.J. Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Its an important issue you know!

        2. William R. Wilson profile image61
          William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I wish I could rate forum posts up.  LOL bluedog.

          1. profile image0
            sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Let me guess, you're a Christian Conservative?

            1. William R. Wilson profile image61
              William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

              Who, me?  Heh.

        3. profile image0
          Leta Sposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Last time I checked, news organizations had business people working for them, not koolaid drinkers.  Oh, yeah...if it doesn't exist outside your head and scope, it doesn't exist.  Forgot.  And I guess it really is hopeless then for those who like to make things up in their head and believe it.

    2. Arthur Fontes profile image74
      Arthur Fontesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      lol like these are actual news sources ROFLMAO

  9. profile image0
    cosetteposted 14 years ago

    you know, with the proliferation of YouTube videos and editing software, a lot of these videos are seamless. there's one where supposedly Obama (along with other presidential candidates) were on a podium standing for the National Anthem. it shows every one of them with their hand over their heart, except Obama. add to that, he is fidgeting and rocking back and forth on his heels.

    i saw that and thought that just has to be fake. i can't imagine a presidential candidate refusing to place his hand over his heart when that song is played. it is just automatic.

    it's kind of creepy how so many things are being presented as factual these days.

    1. William R. Wilson profile image61
      William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Creepier still how many people accept what they see and hear unquestioningly. 

      I'll have to check out that Obama video, thanks!

      1. profile image0
        Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        While you're at it, check out the ones where he openly advocated youngsters to defy the "old, worn-out" principles of their parents and grandparents.
        Obama wants a nation that follows HIM, not a nation of people with moral ethics or social ethics.   He is a power-hungry mega-maniacal-fool.

        1. William R. Wilson profile image61
          William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          It's quite a conceptual leap from "he openly advocated youngsters to defy the "old, worn-out" principles of their parents and grandparents."

          to

          "Obama wants a nation that follows HIM, not a nation of people with moral ethics or social ethics.   He is a power-hungry mega-maniacal-fool."

          As for me being 'had'... well, I thought the same thing about you guys when Bush was in office.

        2. blue dog profile image60
          blue dogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          and how would you describe cheney?  or any members of the bush crime syndicate?

          1. tksensei profile image60
            tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            "Crime syndicate" is juvenile and pointless. They are out of office now, let it go.

    2. profile image0
      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe you should look for other videos of the same event and find one where he does have his hand over his heart. wink

      You will probably find several videos of the same event from different angles of him doing the same thing.  Anyways, just find the one where is doing it and I might edit my hub to reflect it. smile

      1. William R. Wilson profile image61
        William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        I've seen that video, it's real.

  10. profile image0
    Brenda Durhamposted 14 years ago

    It amazes me that some people don't know when they've been "had".   I can understand it at first,  but not after this long and this many manipulations of this nation in general by the O.

  11. Ralph Deeds profile image65
    Ralph Deedsposted 14 years ago

    Congressional report: ACORN didn't violate the law--

    http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30919.html

    http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009 … e-no-laws/

    Report Finds Acorn Broke No Laws, New York Times 12-23-09
    By JANIE LORBER
    The controversial community organizing group Acorn has not broken any laws in the last five years, according to a Congrssional Research Service report released Tuesday evening.

    The report, requested by Representative John Conyers, Democrat of Michigan, said that federal agencies, mainly the Departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Development, have awarded money to the group 48 times since 2005. But, in none of those instances did Acorn violate the terms of their funding, the report said.

    1. William R. Wilson profile image61
      William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      But I thought they were a 'remarkable criminal enterprise' as Fox News said? 

      Gosh, if you can't trust Fox News, who can you trust?

  12. mikelong profile image61
    mikelongposted 14 years ago

    This topic discusses many things....

    I think it's missing an aspect, however.

    Who is ACORN?

    What do they do?

    Why do they exist?


    Does anyone here know what 'redlining' is?

    1. William R. Wilson profile image61
      William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Good question Mike.  Anyone?

      1. Ralph Deeds profile image65
        Ralph Deedsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        My impression is that ACORN attempts to perform a function for the urban poor similar to that which the Chamber of Commerce and the K Street lobbyists perform for Wall Street banksters, and the pharmaceutical, insurance and Big Oil companies. ACORN registers voters and lobbies for issues that benefit its constituents.

  13. mikelong profile image61
    mikelongposted 14 years ago

    Redlining??  ACORN?

    http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/ … 9929.shtml


    Who is fighting against whom?

    I understand it, who else does?

    1. William R. Wilson profile image61
      William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The Republicans say that the redlining law is outdated.  LOL.  Yes, it's time to let the banks start giving predatory loans to people who live in the poorest neighborhoods again!  Just like the Glass  Steagall act was outdated.

      I mean, hell, just look at all the good it did for our economy when we repealed Glass Steagall!  And started giving Adjustable  Rate Mortgages to people who couldn't possibly afford them!  This crisis calls for more of the same!

      /sarcasm

  14. mikelong profile image61
    mikelongposted 14 years ago

    I'll assume that they're all out there reading up....

  15. William R. Wilson profile image61
    William R. Wilsonposted 14 years ago

    I think Mike Long had a good idea, so I'm going to reveal some of my own background and experience. 

    I moved to a poor rural county in Tennessee when I was 10 years old.  I went to High School there.  This county could be considered Appalachian in culture. 

    Growing up I saw first hand the effects of poverty on children, families, and communities.  I also saw naked racism. 

    I went away to college and got a liberal arts degree, primarily studying history, religion, and language.   

    I've worked in a variety of jobs, with people from all walks of life.  For most of my adult life I've been what most would call poor.  In the 12 years since I graduated college I've never made more than 30,000 in a year. 

    Mainly this is self imposed.  I could easily have taken a different path in life but I chose a life of contemplation and simplicity.  So I don't blame anyone for my financial situation. 

    At the same time, being poor has given me a particular perspective on wealth and power in this country. 

    I took a job with ACORN in 2004, mainly to assist in the work they were doing around the Presidential election.  I left soon after the election, carrying a mixed bag of feelings about what ACORN does and how it does it. 

    Mike listed some books that have shaped his opinion.  I have a few books to add:

    The Autobiography of Malcolm X

    Dark Ages America - Morris Berman

    A People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn

    Understanding Power - Noam Chomsky

    That's not all but it's a start.

  16. Joe Perry profile image60
    Joe Perryposted 14 years ago

    Quite agree. Let us face it - ACORN is an easy target for those who care nothing for the poor.

    1. d camp rant profile image59
      d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      the best thing to do for the poor is to make them uncomfortable in their poverty. why sould one go out and better themselves if everyone is handing them what they need?
      furthermore if these people really cared they would be a non-profit organization. look at how much the Rathke's make a year, that sure would help the poor wouldnt it?

      1. blue dog profile image60
        blue dogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        maybe you should work harder at bettering yourself so you don't live in such fear of the poor.

        1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
          Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Maybe the poor should work harder to better themselves so they are not "the poor!"

  17. d camp rant profile image59
    d camp rantposted 14 years ago

    where have you been? ACORN is up for voter fraud in dozens of states. Listen to some of the Rathke's speeches and read their blogs. They (along with Jeff Jones-AEIU) are the original followers to the Cloward and Piven theory.
    When people are on youtube screaming- workers of the world unite! common sense tells me they are socialist. what about ACORNS roll in the housing "crisis" fiasco with Fannie & Freddy? or Rathke's million dollar scandal? That whole organization should be shut down, not allowed to recieve tax dollars and go global! ACORN also convinced the dallas cowboys to register in another state, along with donald duck! they registered tens of thousands of people in districts that were non-exsistent, over registered other districts. if that was a one person deal it wouldnt have happened all over the country, over and over again. I think those are some realistic reasons for the GOP to be upset about. why would any politician want to suppress votes?
      Obama won the Independents and moderate vote, not because of minorities.(because he ran as a moderate, and only one news station ran the truth) it's kinda odd NBC didnt run anything on Obamas voting record or Rev. Wright, and now Jeff Immelt is on Obamas advisory board. and it's kinda funny how we drop our missle defense for russia and two days later G.E. ( Immelts other co.) gets a millon dollar deal with Russia.
      Obama ran under the flag of change and transparicy- so far it's politics as usual. what happened to no lobbyist  and no pork spending? I will not sign a bill that has pet project spending in it? Politics as usual.

  18. Uninvited Writer profile image78
    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    Yeah, those poor people have got it too good... roll

    1. d camp rant profile image59
      d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      do some homework, google images of poor people in africa and china, then look around our country, our poor still have houses, utilities, foodstamps, ect. the fact is our poor live like kings compared to other countries. i dont see any poor people walking miles for a bucket full of muddy water for the whole family to live off of. it is clear how i feel, plus we donate 10% of our income to different org. on top of 10% tithings. thats 20% total of our monthly income. how much do you "bleeding hearts" donate? what do you do to make a difference? besides complain on the internet?

      1. blue dog profile image60
        blue dogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        it's a pity about that tithing thing...

        10%. 

        oh, my, god.

        1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
          Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          What is it you do to help the poor? Anything?

          1. d camp rant profile image59
            d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            yes, like i said, we donate 20% of our monthly income to charities and our church.

            1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
              Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

              I wasn't talking to you

  19. Uninvited Writer profile image78
    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    You do realize that some of the poor have 3 jobs and are still poor? Most of the poor are the working poor.

    1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
      Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I don't know that, no. Do you have some proof of this or is it just what you want me to believe?

      1. d camp rant profile image59
        d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        if you have 3 jobs, you are not poor, you have poor budgeting skills. they have classes for that and books, and you can take it upon yourself to better yourself- start a buisness, go to school and get a degree,ect.
        it sounds like you want the world, now and free! life doesnt work that way. it takes years to achive anything of value. and it takes even more hard work to stay at that comfortable level.
        thats typical liberal mentality, give me it all, now! i'm entitled to it. whats all this earn it stuff?

        1. blue dog profile image60
          blue dogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          enjoy that "stay at that comfortable level" while you can.  hopefully you're independently wealthy enough to buy a brain and then enroll in the class necessary to teach you how to use it. 

          it's called the school of hard knocks.  sounds like you know little about it.  if you'd ever been there, you'd never forget it.  people like you are the ones i will enjoy watching grovel when the time comes for you to grow your own food.  you'll be the first one to eat your last packet of seeds.

          1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
            Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            roll

          2. d camp rant profile image59
            d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            thats really childish, i dont agree with you so i cant wait to watch you suffer.  lol! nice.

            1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
              Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

              That's usually how the liberal argument goes, its a long tradition of mediocrity.

            2. blue dog profile image60
              blue dogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

              your attitude about the poor is what is childish. 

              the status of my agreement with you is irrelevant. 

              regarding your last packet of seeds, having to watch you "suffer" only validates what i say.

              go tithe.  while you certainly will not buy your salvation, you can make damn sure to lease it while you're still alive.

              1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
                Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Meanwhile, you will continue to whine about the bad,bad rich! Do something for someone then get back to us about how much you care.

                1. William R. Wilson profile image61
                  William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  So I see we've avoided the question of whether it's ok to mislead people and film them illegally in order to score political points. 

                  Anyone?

                2. blue dog profile image60
                  blue dogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  as uninvited writer states, quite frankly it's none of your business.  but i'd be happy to drag your bloated ego into the countless villages i've been to in mexico and then watch how many of them invite your imperialistic attitude to their dinner table, or to sleep under their roof.

                  1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
                    Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                    The problem is you couldn't drag me anywhere, could you?

                  2. Mitch Rapp profile image60
                    Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                    I don't want a single penny of any donation I give to go to Mexico, I am concerned about those who live in my Country, Mexico has you, lol that should get them....somewhere. lol

  20. Uninvited Writer profile image78
    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    What do you do?

    This is not a case of whose is bigger. It is so easy to attack the poor when you don't know anything about their lives.

    1. d camp rant profile image59
      d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      way to avoid the question.

      1. Uninvited Writer profile image78
        Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        What I do to help others is none of your business, I don't do it to make myself look better.

        1. William R. Wilson profile image61
          William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          This.

          1. livelonger profile image85
            livelongerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            All truly altruistic giving is done anonymously.

            1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
              Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

              Really? Always? Glad you know everything otherwise I would have to use Google.

              1. livelonger profile image85
                livelongerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Neither you nor the other conservative whining about liberals being lazy and mediocre have answered these questions:
                If liberals are lazy and conservatives work hard, why is that the wealthiest US states tend to be blue and the poorest red? Why are red states overwhelmingly net recipients of federal aid and blue states overwhelmingly donors? Why do most innovations seem to come out of liberal areas of the country?

                1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
                  Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  I responded to it, did you miss that?

                  1. William R. Wilson profile image61
                    William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                    I saw it.  It wasn't an answer, sorry.

                2. d camp rant profile image59
                  d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  oh, you must be talking about how well the I.O.U. system is working in California, not to mention the extra 10% they started taking out of working peoples paycheck.
                  if not Cali then surely you must be speaking of the great state of Vermont. I think there are hard working liberals and republicans, just as there are lazy ones too. party affiliation has little to do with personal responsibilty or work ethics. some of my best friends are liberals; where we connect is on values.

                  1. livelonger profile image85
                    livelongerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                    I'm not talking about the effectiveness of state governments. I'm talking about the per-capita income, innovation and largesse of the states according to how liberal or conservative they are. Conservative states are poorer, relatively low in innovation, and more likely to be recipients of federal aid than donors. The cognitive dissonance between how conservatives see themselves and how they actually are is really remarkable.

    2. Mitch Rapp profile image60
      Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I do a lot, but that is the difference between those who whine about things and those that actually try to change things. Government programs have not changed anything but those of us who give charitable donations make a difference. Its easy to see those that want to help and those who want others to help, its obvious what side he falls on!

  21. Uninvited Writer profile image78
    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    Well, I admire you two if you managed to become successful without any help from anyone ever...

    1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
      Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Success is of course relative. It depends on what you call help, my parents took care of me until I was old enough to do that myself, that's help. I worked to put myself through school and it took longer than your typical student. I have managed to make some money, so if thats successful, I am.

    2. d camp rant profile image59
      d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      all it takes is disipline and sacrifice. that doesnt mean we never have hard times. and im by no means rich. we make a goal and take little steps towards that goal. example- it took me a year to save the money for my flat screen. we dont use credit cards, i went and worked a little longer and a few days extra.
      rather than pay twice as much with credit, and giving in to that erge to have it now. now i own it, and appreciate it that much more.

      1. d camp rant profile image59
        d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        urge, sorry!  lol

        1. Ron Montgomery profile image62
          Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          discipline, also sorry lol

  22. Uninvited Writer profile image78
    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    You have no idea about my life. I have a job where I earn more than minumum wage, I work hard, I am barely in debt. I don't expect anything from anyone.

    You don't have to be poor yourself to understand how hard life is for some.

    I repeat, I am glad for you if you became a success without help from anyone else ever.

  23. livelonger profile image85
    livelongerposted 14 years ago

    If liberals are lazy and conservatives work hard, why is that the wealthiest US states tend to be blue and the poorest red? Why are red states overwhelmingly net recipients of federal aid and blue states overwhelmingly donors? Why do most innovations seem to come out of liberal areas of the country?

    1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
      Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Do you really not know the answer to that question? I really don't care about Red states vs Blue states, my State is probably the wealthiest in the Country and that makes me happy.

    2. William R. Wilson profile image61
      William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This.

  24. Mitch Rapp profile image60
    Mitch Rappposted 14 years ago

    The majority of poor in this Country are their own worst enemy, managing money is a skill that you have to learn in order to save. If you spend it as fast as you get it like children do, then you are probably going to be poor. Like Rant said, the poor in this country are rich compared to most of the world!

  25. Mortgagestar1 profile image61
    Mortgagestar1posted 14 years ago

    ACORN's co founder stole from the organization. Various members of ACORN have and are rolling over on thier corrupt activities. Al Frankin was fraudulently elected as most others involved in counting ficticious names and dead people. When the Republican's take control agter the 2010 elections, there will be REAL investigations.

  26. Uninvited Writer profile image78
    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    So, what do you consider "credible sources"?

    1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
      Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Certainly not the Dailykos or a paid employee of ACORN. How about a report done by a real independent investigator not paid for by anyone who has anything to gain by the outcome, got one of those?

      1. William R. Wilson profile image61
        William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        You can be your own independent investigator not paid by ACORN.

        Compare the transcripts to the videos.

        1. William R. Wilson profile image61
          William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          And, this is interesting - an illegal videotape that has been doctored is a 'credible' source?

          1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
            Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            who said it was doctored? Your sources?

            1. William R. Wilson profile image61
              William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

              Compare the video to the transcript and find out for yourself.  Doctored, and illegal too.

          2. d camp rant profile image59
            d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            video aside, what about all the other scandals? from dozens of counts of voter fraud, to Rathke stealing millions and nothing is done?

            1. William R. Wilson profile image61
              William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

              The quick answer - ACORN, the organization, has not been found guilty of committing vote fraud.  They hire people to register voters.  If the employees don't register voters, they lose their jobs.  Thus - people turn in faked voter reg. forms. 

              Individuals who work for ACORN have been found guilty of committing voter fraud.  Not ACORN.

              ACORN, in fact, pays employees to go over every voter reg. card and flag the suspicious ones.   They then turn those in to the state with flags.  They are required by law to turn in every voter registration card, faked or not. 

              Then, funny, when a Republican secretary of state sees the flagged voter registration cards, he or she makes a big stink about ACORN committing fraud - even though ACORN has made the best possible effort to prevent this fraud.

              If what the accusers are saying is true, I could fill out a reg card with false information, give it to you, and if you turned it in you could be held accountable for my lie and charged with vote fraud.  See how ridiculous this is?

              In any case - even if the voter reg. fraud was a malicious conspiracy, how would it actually translate into falsified votes?  Think about the logistics of such an operation.  It wouldn't be easy, and there would be plenty of evidence of it by now.

              1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
                Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                State of Louisiana is investigating ACORN as an organization, I'm sure the truth will come out then.

                "Individuals who work for ACORN have been found guilty of committing voter fraud.  Not ACORN."

                Yeah,employees of a company would never push the product of said company! lol I will say one thing for you, you're funny!

              2. profile image58
                C.J. Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Didn't the Director of ACORN in Nevada plead guilty to conspiracy for organizing a scheme that illegally paid workers to register new voters?

                1. William R. Wilson profile image61
                  William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  From the Las Vegas Sun Times:

                  http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/oc … rn-unique/



                  I can't disagree with the last sentence.  If you pay employees in that that way you are creating an incentive for fraud. 

                  But that's not the same as committing vote fraud.

                  1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
                    Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                    Its just facilitating it! roll

            2. William R. Wilson profile image61
              William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

              "Dozens" of counts of voter fraud actually seem to be about 1 dozen.  As for embezzlement - it's not ACORNs fault someone stole from them.  It was also Wade Rathke's brother, not Wade.

              Embezzlement happens all the time.  Does this make every corporation that is defrauded in this way a "criminal organization?"

              http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2008 … _embezzle/

              http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/sep/26 … ment-case/

              http://www.extranetevolution.com/extran … arges.html

              http://wattsfamily.com/?p=174

              etc. etc. etc.

              1. d camp rant profile image59
                d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                these other companies do not recieve tax money, nor do they go to presidential dinners, nor is there several speeches with the current president saying "i have the same agenda as acorn and seiu." or "when i want to talk about healthcare, i go to andy stern."  so yes, there is coruption, yes, there are greedy people on the planet. i dont want the people elected to be on the same team as these corupt indivduals. that goes for both parties.

                1. William R. Wilson profile image61
                  William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Research Blackwater and KBR.

                  1. profile image58
                    C.J. Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                    What those are bad people????LOL You know it was a Republican who warned us about these types.....

  27. livelonger profile image85
    livelongerposted 14 years ago

    Haha, not an answer. So the "conservative" case for hard work, self-sufficiency, picking yourself up by your own bootstraps, etc. is a whole lot of smoke and mirrors, in the form of glib one-liners, of course.

    1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
      Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hard work and self sufficiency are not the keys to success? I think you would be the only one who could possibly think that.

      1. d camp rant profile image59
        d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        i try to live by those values and my life has been better for it. I had my hand out until 06'.

    2. Mitch Rapp profile image60
      Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Newsflash, Government handouts will make you rich!

      1. livelonger profile image85
        livelongerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        Can you read? Red states get more handouts from the government, yet are still poorer.

      2. Ralph Deeds profile image65
        Ralph Deedsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        If you're a defense contractor or Goldman Sachs or a pharmaceutical company.

        1. profile image58
          C.J. Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Or GM, GE, UAW or a contractor who recieved "No Bid" Contracts related to the stimulus bill.

          1. Mitch Rapp profile image60
            Mitch Rappposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            dont forget SEIU good to be the kings favorite, huh?

            1. profile image58
              C.J. Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

              Is there an "ACORN" of truth to that statement? LOL

              1. d camp rant profile image59
                d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Let's not forget we owe billions to third world countries too. All that global warming- I mean climate change.

                1. d camp rant profile image59
                  d camp rantposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  I'm sure that money will go to cleaning gasses in the air, not the Dictator running the country.

                  1. Ralph Deeds profile image65
                    Ralph Deedsposted 14 years agoin reply to this



                    "Dictator?"

  28. Mortgagestar1 profile image61
    Mortgagestar1posted 14 years ago

    I am returning back to Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Nancy Pelosi's husband is a major financier with the building contractors and have made millions, just like Diana Fienstein's husband getting a twelve millin dollar non bid government contract. This war has and is making many a liberal Democrat wealthier. Research for youselves!

    1. profile image58
      C.J. Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Don't forget Murtha...he's a Dem too. I believe his son's company is making a mint on the war as well.

      1. William R. Wilson profile image61
        William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        The slime is on both sides, no denying that. 

        But - how do we fix that?  You can attack the democrats for their corruption, and I can attack Republicans for theirs.  In most cases it is the same thing, just different labels. 

        Short of a revolution, how do we enact meaningful change?

        I think ACORN does good work, and if corrupt, it is no more or less corrupt than Blackwater, KBR, Humana, or Pfizer.  Pfizer makes life saving pharmaceuticals, KBR builds infrastructure that poor people in Iraq will benefit from, and ACORN works as an advocate for the poor. 

        We can completely destroy the system we have and go to something else (not an attractive option in my book), or... well, what else can we do?  Realistically?

        1. profile image58
          C.J. Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Honesty. Thats what's needed. The electorate needs to be honest with themselves.  We need to understand that years of picking a political candidate like we would a favorite football team have cost us dearly. That "WE THE PEOPLE" are just as responsible for the mess we are in today than anyone else. In fact more so.

          We need to be ready to fully participate in government. That means getting to know your candidate. Not accepting a readers digest version thats delivered on the local news, national news, pulpit or community organization head quarters. All too often the aforementioned entities only muddy the waters with their pet issues. Issues like abortion, gun ownership, etc. These issues are used only to easily divide the electorate neatly along party lines. In reality no politician that runs for candidacy today will do anything that will appreciably change those policies. Meanwhile real issues like trade deficits and illegal immigration are gutting this country. We are loosing our since of National pride. 

          You spoke of Blackwater. I mentioned Ike. He warned us of the dangers the "Military Industrial Complex" could pose. We are there! Since the end of the "Great Depression" this country has been led into war after war mostly due to failed foriegn policy. A foriegn policy that is influenced by special intrest. The Oil and Gas Lobby, the DOD Contractor, the Banker. I'm so tired of hearing people talk about how our young people are "over there fighting for our freedom" Thats such a lie. They are cleaning up numerous politicians messes and fighting for your right to drive a SUV at under 4 dollars per gallon. I'm also tired of hearing people running down our Troops, our leaders who had to make tough decisions in the face of the greatest tragedy since Pearl Harbor.
          In short personal responsibility is the key. Take care of you and yours first. Live with in your means. Achieve all that you can. Help someone else along the way.

  29. mikelong profile image61
    mikelongposted 14 years ago

    Just following the riots in 1992 both a Republican and Democrat of note in Southern California politics made statements....

    The first said that all illegal aliens who participated in the looting of stores during the unrest should be arrested and deported....

    The Democrat went further....she said that not only should illegal residents be sent packing, but that their citizen children should have their legal status revoked, and that they should be thrown out of the country too...


    I'll post their names...I don't have them right now...

    I see the Democrats and Republicans as two heads of the same beast....

    The Democrats provide a "softer" (their men..Clinton, Kennedy, Obama, are more charismatic I suppose than their Repubican counterparts?) alternative to the Republicans while still making sure the same policies are being continued...

 
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