Collegiate Times

By now I am sure anyone with a TV or a computer has heard about the new scandal breaking out within the community activist group ACORN. The details are still muddy (as if they are ever clear), and new information is released almost daily.

But for those who have not heard, ACORN workers have been caught on video in a freelance sting operation (done by a false prostitute and pimp) discussing the prospect of providing aid for a prostitution ring. Not only does it include prostitution, it also includes the prostitution of illegal underaged girls.

This leads me to ask, what in the world is going on with ACORN? I believe this is a fair question, considering taxpayer money in the past has gone to ACORN, and, according to FactCheck.org, ACORN is eligible for receiving stimulus money. Whether it applied for and received money is another debate. So, knowing this, it comes as a relief to see that, after the videotape scandal broke out, Congress decided to cut off funding to ACORN.

The congressional decision to initially cut off federal funding is a start, but more steps need to be taken against ACORN. A full-scale investigation needs to be done from the bottom all the way to the leaders in Congress. The president and Congress have not had a problem meddling with big organizations thus far, why should this one be any different? The reason they should call for a larger investigation is that the tapings were done in several cities in several states across the country. This consistency leads one to believe that this is not an isolated incident.

This incident should outrage any human being on a moral level. It is undeniable that these workers were caught on tape hearing the case of what they perceived as a prostitute and her pimp trying to set up a house to run an illegal underage prostitution ring out of. In the video from California, the ACORN worker even discussed the prospect of taking the money from the prostitution ring and using it for political campaigns. With the unveiling of these tapes, ACORN has released statements ranging from slamming the video makers to acknowledging that no organization is perfect.

So who knows what to think? It is with this that any rational person should draw the line and start asking questions. Why has this negligence been allowed for so long? Is it congressional corruption? Those in law enforcement turning a blind eye? Or did we simply miss it? These are the questions we should be asking, and when they answer, any wrong doing should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

President Barack Obama has stated in a press conference that he would support an investigation into ACORN, and I applaud him for that. He also says that this is not the biggest issue at hand, and to a certain degree he is right considering the two wars and the struggling economy. However, whenever there is a scandal that involves taxpayer money and possible political corruption, it usually jumps to the top of the list.

Now is the time for Obama to back up the talk and get this investigation going, but like everything in Washington, it takes time. If he really wanted to reach across the aisle, this would be a perfect time for him to join with the Republicans and get the ball rolling. Only seven senators voted against cutting off funding, so it does not look like forming a coalition and investigating ACORN would alienate many congressmen at all.

This is a very large issue with muddy facts that many people will never know. It is time for the people to at least question what is going on with this organization. If the Senate can overwhelmingly agree to cut off funding, I am sure the American people can agree on just asking questions. Do not get me wrong, I am not accusing any particular group or congressman with any wrong doing, I am simply doing and encouraging what Einstein told me to do: "Never stop asking questions."