Disclaimer - I am not now, nor have I ever been affiliated with ACORN. I met Wade Rathke once or twice briefly back in 1999 when I worked as a Union side labor lawyer in New Orleans, but I'm certain he has no idea who I am.
This is just a effort on my part to make lemonade out of lemons of the current smear against ACORN. Simply put, the only proper response to the Republican smears of ACORN is a massive wave of donations to ACORN. Show Republicans what a mistake it was to try and smear a great organization focused on helping out struggling families everywhere.
Go now, and donate $20, $50, or whatever you can afford.
www.acorn.org
Don't worry. I'll wait until you're finished making a donation...
If you've never heard of ACORN, then I encourage you to check out their organization. But they've been written up hundreds of times in the media, especially progressive lit like The Nation and In These Times.
My personal experience with ACORN was limited to a living wage campaign taking place in New Orleans, as part of a broad effort by unions and community organizations to bring economic justice to the lowest rungs of workers in New Orleans (this was pre-Katrina days, and the problems are only worse now). I was impressed with the level of activism and dedication of ACORN. They are the real deal.
I live in Berkeley, CA, now, but I still pay attention whenever ACORN pops up in the news. I have to say I was shocked, and then actually amused, by the accusations of ACORN being part of some nefarious conspiracy to commit voter fraud. Really, it's difficult to explain just how hilariously absurd and misguided Republicans are in this effort.
Which isn't to say that the accusations should be ignored. It's exactly the opposite. Republicans are going for a two-fer here. The primary goal is to de-legitimize the election. But the second goal - which I am focusing on here - is to de-legitimize one of the truly effective community organizations dedicated to social and economic justice. And we, as a community, should fight both attacks tooth and nail.
So do yourself a favor, and do the world a favor. Fight the campaign to undermine the election, and throw a few bucks to ACORN so that they emerge from this scandal stronger and more empowered than ever. Do it for the noble cause - it's the right thing to do. But also do it, as Kos says, because it is one more way to throw an anchor to Republicans, and really crush their spirits.
www.acorn.org