The Stimulus Spoils System

After most legislators went home last Friday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced to the few remaining on the floor a tentative deal to pass that chamber's version of the American Recovery and Renewal Tax Act. Pared to “just” $827 billion from $937 billion a day earlier, the package includes another dozen or so amendments and one giant rub: The Senate's “economic stimulus” package provides Americans zero assurance that its corporate and government beneficiaries would use all that taxpayer money to hire only verified U.S. citizens and legal foreign workers.

“This makes about as much sense as trying to fill your bathtub while the bottom drain is open,” says retired senior U.S. immigration agent Michael Cutler, who served the government for 30 years. “The U.S. claims determination, through its economic stimulus plan, to put money in the hands of Americans who presumably will spend money in the U.S. At this time, it's counterintuitive and antithetical to hire foreign workers whose goal is to ship their earnings overseas.” Indeed, before World War II, the Dept. of Labor enforced U.S. immigration laws to protect American workers and mandated a shortened, 40-hour work week “to spread jobs to as many American citizens as possible,” Cutler adds.

President Barack Obama insists that the U.S. has “inherited an economic crisis as deep and dire as any since the days of the Great Depression.” If true, it would make no sense to pass an economic stimulus plan that simultaneously increases the number working in the U.S.

Senator Majority leader Harry Reid would like nothing better, however. On January 7, Reid introduced the paradoxically named the “Stronger Economy, Stronger Borders Act of 2009.” Reid constructed the imprecisely worded two-page “placeholder” to later house comprehensive immigration “reform and rationalize” legislation. Translation: Reid wants massive amnesty for illegal aliens – now realistically estimated at 20 million. He even hopes to increase lawful immigrants to the U.S., whose numbers by 2006 had topped 1.3 million a year. Such “reform” would only further weaken the U.S. economy and erode already lax borders.

In response, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala) has introduced SA 239, a measure that would require local governments and businesses that receive stimulus funds to use E-Verify, an online verification system that allows employers to check the legal status of their workers. Under the SA 239, government contractors benefiting from the stimulus plan would electronically validate job applicants' social security numbers and names against a central database.

Challenged Friday night by Sessions on why SA 239 was not included in proposed stimulus amendments, Reid hemmed and hawed. He did not know, he said, asserting that Senators would later have opportunities to add further amendments. Although polite, Sessions was understandably not sanguine. Reid has now scheduled the “stimulus package” floor vote for Tuesday without adding the necessary E-Verify protections.

Verifying employees' legal qualifications to work in the U.S. should not be partisan politics. Not doing so costs everyone---Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike---big bucks. Illegal aliens send as much in untaxed earnings as possible “back home.” They withdraw from the U.S. economy much more than they contribute. Working or not, moreover, illegal aliens also use educational, natural, welfare and other U.S. resources for which they do not pay taxes. The estimated cost is nearly $325 billion annually.

Illegal aliens account for most federal prison inmates, too, according to many studies. Immigration cases made up 57% of “all new federal criminal cases brought nationwide” in March 2008, according to Syracuse University-affiliated analysts. They include hundreds of thousands of criminals---a violent alleged sexual predator in New Jersey; a convicted drug dealer and alleged shooter of two New York policemen; a juvenile felon and alleged triple murderer; crack cocaine dealers; a drunk driver who killed two Virginia teens; an illegal Panamanian ex-convict and police killer and so on. Contrary to popular opinion, authorities often criminally charge illegal aliens following felonies and violent crime, not just illegal U.S. entry.

The government’s failure to enforce immigration laws has not been lost on voters. In 2008, millions of citizens time and again appealed to the 110th Congress to renew the expiring E-Verify bill, which had hundreds of legislative co-sponsors. Last week, both parties therefore gave broad support to the House E-Verify amendment.

Yet House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last year flatly refused to allow a House floor vote on the comprehensive “Secure America through Verification and Enforcement” (SAVE) measure, intended to permanently expand E-Verify usage to all U.S. companies and government contractors. Now, Senate majority leader Reid is stonewalling on E-Verify in Madam Pelosi's stead. The only possible logic rests in illegal aliens' reputed preference for the Democratic legislators determined to swap political responsibility for future votes.

That problem dates back to 1978. During the U.S. Census count, President Jimmy Carter ordered Immigration officers not to arrest illegal aliens, says Cutler. “He did not order us not to arrest drug dealers or murderers.” The House of Representatives is apportioned by the U.S. Census---and populous states tend to vote Democratic. Carter recognized illegal immigration as a means of increasing Democratic party power. A magnet for illegal immigration, California now has 53 representatives---over 23% more than in 1978. Texas, another state attracting a large illegal alien population, now has has 32 congressmen, more than the 29 in New York. Representatives from those states use the Census to serve their party---rather than their positions to serve legal citizenry, Cutler says.

Friday night, Senators did adopt an amendment prohibiting more than 200 banks that got federal bail-out funds from hiring foreigners. Legislators were compelled to act after the Associated Press reported that banks who had laid off thousands of U.S. workers in 2008 requested nearly a third more foreign worker visas. The amendment gives American workers small change, however. It bans banks from hiring foreigners only for one year.

President Obama's economic stimulus seems intended not to benefit the U.S. public but rather to shore up the core constituencies of the Democratic Party – including those illegal immigrants who will form the party’s base in the future. Such cynical political engineering may be good for the Democrats, but there is little evidence that it is good for the country.

What I need to know is...

Since they took out ACORN and snuck in neighborhood stabilization programs (ACORN), for 4.1 to 5.2 billion, has that been asked to be explaned or taken out?

Previous buzz:

Funds for this purpose were authorized in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act, signed into law in 2008. However, these funds were limited to state and local governments. Now House Democrats are taking the unprecedented step of making ACORN and other groups eligible for these funds:

“For a further additional amount for ‘Community Development Fund,’ $4,190,000,000, to be used for neighborhood stabilization activities related to emergency assistance for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes as authorized under division B, title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–289), of which—

“(1) not less than $3,440,000,000 shall be allocated by a competition for which eligible entities shall be States, units of general local government, and nonprofit entities or consortia of nonprofit entities[.]”

“(2) up to $750,000,000 shall be awarded by competition to nonprofit entities or consortia of nonprofit entities to provide community stabilization assistance […]”

The House Democrats’ trillion dollar spending bill also includes $1 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. CDBG funds are given by the federal government to state and local governments which often contract with nonprofits for services related to the purpose of the grant.

ACORN knows how to secure CDBG funds. Audit reports filed by ACORN’s headquarters with the Office of Management and Budget show that ACORN spent $1,588,599 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds from FY 2003 through FY 2007. It is not clear from these records when or from what source the funds were awarded to ACORN. It is also not clear whether ACORN chapters or affiliates have received CDBG grants on their own.

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) repeatedly urged President George W. Bush and other federal officials to withhold taxpayer funds from ACORN, including $17.2 million in federal grants awarded in December 2008 after numerous allegations of wrongdoing in connection with ACORN’s election activities were reported by the news media.

Last week:

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/01/29/obamacorn-payback-its-still-in-there/

On Monday, I noted GOP House Speaker John Boehner’s warning about the ObamACORN funding provisions in the House version of the Generational Theft Act of 2009.

As expected, the slush fund/payback program for the left-wing fraudsters is still in there. Here’s the direct link to the section in H.R. 1. And here’s the relevant section:

For an additional amount for `Community Development Fund’ $1,000,000,000, to carry out the community development block grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.): Provided, That the amount appropriated in this paragraph shall be distributed according to the same funding formula used in fiscal year 2008: Provided further, That in allocating the funds appropriated in this paragraph, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall not require an additional action plan from grantees: Provided further, That in selecting projects to be funded, recipients shall give priority to projects that can award contracts based on bids within 120 days from the date the funds are made available to the recipients; Provided further, That in administering funds provided in this paragraph, the Secretary may waive any provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the obligation by the Secretary or the use by the recipient of these funds (except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment), upon a finding that such waiver is required to facilitate the timely use of such funds and would not be inconsistent with the overall purpose of the statute.

For a further additional amount for `Community Development Fund’, $4,190,000,000, to be used for neighborhood stabilization activities related to emergency assistance for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes as authorized under division B, title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-289), of which–

(1) not less than $3,440,000,000 shall be allocated by a competition for which eligible entities shall be States, units of general local government, and nonprofit entities or consortia of nonprofit entities: Provided, That the award criteria for such competition shall include grantee capacity, leveraging potential, targeted impact of foreclosure prevention, and any additional factors determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Provided further, that the Secretary may establish a minimum grant size: Provided further, That amounts made available under this Section may be used to (A) establish financing mechanisms for purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed-upon homes and residential properties, including such mechanisms as soft-seconds, loan loss reserves, and shared-equity loans for low- and moderate-income homebuyers; (B) purchase and rehabilitate homes and residential properties that have been abandoned or foreclosed upon, in order to sell or rent such homes and properties; (C) establish and operate land banks for homes that have been foreclosed upon; (D) demolish foreclosed properties that have become blighted structures; and (E) redevelop demolished or vacant foreclosed properties in order to sell or rent such properties; and
(2) up to $750,000,000 shall be awarded by competition to nonprofit entities or consortia of nonprofit entities to provide community stabilization assistance by (A) accelerating state and local government and nonprofit productivity; (B) increasing the scale and efficiency of property transfers of foreclosed and vacant residential properties from financial institutions and government entities to qualified local housing providers in order to return the properties to productive affordable housing use; (C) building industry and property management capacity; and (D) partnering with private sector real estate developers and contractors and leveraging private sector capital: Provided further, That such community stabilization assistance shall be provided primarily in States and areas with high rates of defaults and foreclosures to support the acquisition, rehabilitation and property management of single-family and multi-family homes and to work in partnership with the private sector real estate industry and to leverage available private and public funds for those purposes: Provided further, That for purposes of this paragraph qualified local housing providers shall be nonprofit organizations with demonstrated capabilities in real estate development or acquisition and rehabilitation or property management of single- or multi-family homes, or local or state governments or instrumentalities of such governments: Provided further, That qualified local housing providers shall be expected to utilize and leverage additional local nonprofit, governmental, for-profit and private resources:
Matthew Vadum points out a few other goodies targeted to liberal non-profits that bring the total potential ObamACORN payoff to $5.2 billion:

Title XII of the spending legislation backed by the Democratic congressional leadership and the Obama administration would dole out $1 billion in old-fashioned slush funds for the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program. Local politicians love CDBG because it is flexible. The program gives them wide latitude when spending grant money and allows local leaders to use federal dollars on local projects that they wouldn’t dream of spending their own local tax dollars on. ACORN loves CDBG because it is adept at lobbying for CDBG funds.

A separate $10 million is provided in the stimulus package to develop or rehabilitate low-income housing under the Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP)…

Although ACORN operatives usually get their hands on such funds only after they have first passed through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or state and local governments, the new spending bill largely eliminates these dawdling middle men, making it easier to get Uncle Sam’s largess directly into the hands of the same people who run ACORN’s various vote fraud and extortion rackets. And the legislative package provides these funds without the usual prohibition on using government money for lobbying or political activities.

The current version of the stimulus package would allow nonprofit groups to compete with states and localities for $3.44 billion from the $4.19 billion Neighborhood Stabilization Program allocation. The remaining $750 million from the program plus the $10 million in SHOP funds would be set aside exclusively for nonprofit groups.

Probably chief among the groups to benefit from stimulus spending will be ACORN, the infamous network of 100-plus left-wing activist groups.

Even better from the 2nd:

Your tax dollars at work: Bank of America forks over $2 million to ACORN

Yet another timely reminder to GOP Senators: Government bailouts = Left-wing boondoggles. It’s true of the Generational Theft Act of 2009. It was true of the banking bailouts last year.

Dan Mitchell of Cato sends the following new tidbit about bailout beneficiary Bank of ACORN and fraud racketeer ACORN:

This is from the January 29 Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Mail Code 1-007-18-01
100 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28255
(888) 488-9802
http://www.bankofamerica.com

Economic emergency: For efforts to prevent foreclosures and educate people about finances and purchasing homes: $2,000,000 to Acorn Housing Corporation (Chicago, Illinois)

Bank of America and ACORN (as well as open-borders radicals at La Raza) have been intertwined for years:

Arizona
Phoenix

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgage products to potential homeowners in Phoenix. For more information, call ACORN’s Phoenix office at 1.602.253.1111 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Phoenix. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Community Housing Resources of Arizona office at 1.602.631.9780 for more information.

Mesa

* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Mesa. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Housing for Mesa, Inc., office at 1.480.649.1335 for more information.

Tucson

* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Tucson. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., office at 1.520.882.0018 for more information.

* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works through HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Los Angeles. For more information, call In Affordable Housing at 1.501.221.2203.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Los Angeles. For more information, call ACORN’s Los Angeles office at 1.213.747.4210 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works through HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Los Angeles. For more information, call West Angeles Community Development Corporation office at 1.323.291.1472.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Los Angeles. NACA offers homeownership counseling, and Bank of America provides special mortgage products. Call NACA’s California office at 1.510.652.6622 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Los Angeles. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Montebello Housing Development Corporation office at 1.323.722.3955 for more information.
* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Los Angeles. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Watts Century Latino Organization office at 1.323.564.9140 for more information.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout California. For more information call Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services office at 1.213.381.2862.
* NID-HCA. Bank of America works with NAREB Investment Division-HCA affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Los Angeles. For more information on NAREB Investment Division-HCA, call the organization’s Los Angeles office at 1.323.299.4067.

Oakland

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Oakland. For more information, call ACORN’s Oakland office at 1.510.436.6832 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Oakland. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s California office at 1.510.652.6622 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NID-HCA. Bank of America works with NAREB Investment Division-HCA affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Oakland. For more information on NAREB Investment Division-HCA, call the organization’s Los Angeles office at 1.323.299.4067.

Sacramento

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Sacramento. For more information, call ACORN’s Sacramento office at 1.916.455.1795 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Sacramento. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s California office at 1.510.652.6622 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout California. For more information call Sacramento Neighborhood Housing Services (Sacramento NHS) office at 1.915.452.5361.

San Diego

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing Corporation to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in San Diego. For more information, call ACORN’s San Diego office at 1.619.231.8327 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.

San Francisco/San Jose

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout the San Francisco/ San Jose area. For more information call the Neighborhood Housing Services of Silicon Valley office at 1.408.279.2600.

Stockton

* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Stockton. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Asociacion Campesino Lazaro Cardenas office at 1.209.466.6811 for more information.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing Corporation to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Connecticut. For more information, call ACORN’s Bridgeport office at 1.203.366.4180 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Connecticut. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s New Haven office at 1.203.562.6220 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.

New Haven

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Connecticut. For more information call Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven office at 1.203.562.0598.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in the District of Columbia. For more information, call ACORN’s Washington, DC office at 1.202.547.9294 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Washington, DC. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Washington, DC office at 1.202.328.6333 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Washington, DC. For more information, call HomeFree USA’s office at 1.202.526.2000.

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Florida. For more information call Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services (Clearwater NHS) office at 1.727.442.4155.

Jacksonville

* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Jacksonville. For more information, call Operation New Hope office at 1.907.354.4673.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Jacksonville. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Jacksonville office at 1.904.306.9272 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Florida. For more information call the Jacksonville Housing Partnership office at 1.904.398.4424.

Miami

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Miami. For more information, call ACORN’s Miami office at 1.305.438.9061 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Miami. For more information, call the Life & Learning Center office at 1.305.690.4391.
* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Miami. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Centro Campesino office at 1.305.245.7738 for more information.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Florida. For more information call Miami Dade Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., (Miami Dade NHS) office at 1.305.751.5511.
* NID-HCA. Bank of America works with NAREB Investment Division-HCA affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Florida. For more information on NAREB Investment Division-HCA, call the organization’s Miami office at 1.305.351.5435.

Orlando

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing Corporation to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Orlando. For more information, call ACORN’s Orlando office at 1.407.254.5930 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.

Tampa/St. Petersburg

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing Corporation to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Tampa. For more information, call ACORN’s Tampa office at 1.813.258.1474 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Tampa. For more information, call the Housing & Educations office at 1.813.261.5151.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Tampa and St. Petersburg. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Florida office at 1.904.725.8700 for more information. Or call NACA’S national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Florida. For more information call St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services office at 1.727.821.6897.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Atlanta. For more information, call ACORN’s Atlanta office at 1.404.525.0033 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Atlanta. For more information, call the HomeFree-USA Atlanta HO Center at 1.404.607.0800.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Atlanta. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Georgia office at 1.404.525.0033 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.

Augusta

* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Augusta. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Augusta office at 1.706.855.7464 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.

Decatur

* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Decatur. For more information, call Green Forest Community Development Corporation office at 1.404.486.6759.

Morrow

* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Morrow. For more information, D & E office at 1.770.319.5779.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Chicago. For more information, call ACORN’s Chicago office at 1.312.939.1611 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Chicago. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Resurrection Project office at 1.312.666.1323 for more information.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Illinois. For more information call Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago office at 1.773.329.4010.
* NID-HCA. Bank of America works with NAREB Investment Division-HCA affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Illinois. For more information on NAREB Investment Division-HCA, call the organization’s Chicago office at 773.375.1600.

* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Kansas City. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NCLR’s El Centro office at 1.913.677.0100 for more information.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Baltimore. For more information, call ACORN’s Baltimore office at 1.410.752.2228 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Baltimore. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Baltimore office at 1.410.783.0465 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Maryland. For more information call Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore office at 1.410.327.1200.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing Corporation to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Boston. For more information, call ACORN’s Boston office at 1.617.436.6161 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.

Jamaica Plain

* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Jamaica Plain. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Jamaica Plain office at 1.617.250.6244 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.

Springfield

* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Springfield. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Springfield office at 1.413.788.6220 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Massachusetts. For more information call Urban Edge Housing office at 1.617.989.9316.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Massachusetts. For more information call Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., office at 1.412.739.4737.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgage products to potential homeowners in Kansas City. For more information, call ACORN’s Kansas City office at 1.816.931.3326 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Kansas City. For more information, call FRC/HomeFree USA’s Kansas City office at 1.816.822.7241.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Kansas City. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s national office at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) for more information or visit the website at www.naca.com.

St. Louis

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in St. Louis. For more information, call ACORN’s St. Louis office at 1.314.531.5677 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of St. Louis. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s St. Louis office 314.645.8333 or national office at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) for more information or visit the website at www.naca.com.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing Corporation to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Las Vegas. For more information, call ACORN’s Las Vegas office at 1.702.384.3022 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Las Vegas. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Housing for Nevada office at 1.702.270.0300 for more information.
* NID-HCA. Bank of America works with NAREB Investment Division-HCA affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Nevada. For more information on NAREB Investment Division-HCA, call the organization’s Las Vegas office at 1.702.364.1275.

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout New Hampshire. For more information call NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center of Manchester office at 1.603.472.8623.

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout New Jersey. For more information call Neighborhood Housing Services of Camden office at 1.856.541.8440.

Newark

Orange

* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in New Jersey. For more information, call The Washington DODD Center/NHP office at 1.973.395.1970.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Albuquerque. For more information, call ACORN’s Albuquerque office at 1.505.244.1086 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.

Buffalo

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout New York. For more information call West Side Neighborhood Housing Services office at 1.716.885.2344.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of New York. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Buffalo office at 1.716.834.6222 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.

New York City

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing Corporation to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in New York City. For more information, call ACORN’s NYC office at 1.218.246.8080 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of New York. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s New York City office at 1.212.704.9974 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout New York. For more information call Neighborhood Housing Services Homeownership Center of NY office at 1.716.885.2344.

* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in North Carolina. For more information, call UJAMMA office at 1.704.377.8020.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of North Carolina. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Charlotte office at 1.704.536.7676 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout North Carolina. For more information call Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership office at 1.704.342.0933.

* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Oklahoma. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Latino Community Development Corporation office at 1.405.236.0701 for more information.

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Oregon. For more information call Portland Housing Center at 1.503.282.7744.

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Allentown. For more information call Neighborhood Housing Services of Lehigh Valley at 1.610.437.4571.

Philadelphia

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing Corporation to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Philadelphia. For more information, call ACORN’s Philadelphia office at 1.215.765.1221 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Philadelphia. For more information, call Nueva Esperanza, Inc. at 1.215.324.0746.

Reading

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Reading. For more information call Neighborhood Housing Services of Reading at 1.610.372.8433.

Scranton

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Scranton. For more information call Neighborhood Housing Services of Lackawanna County at 1.570.558.2496.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing Corporation to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Providence. For more information, call ACORN’s Providence office at 1.401.780.0509 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Rhode Island. For more information call West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation office at 1.401.453.3220.

Woonsocket

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Rhode Island. For more information call Woonsocket Neighborhood Development Corporation office at 1.401.762.0993.

* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of South Carolina. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s South Carolina office at 1.803.255.0223 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NID-HCA. Bank of America works with NAREB Investment Division-HCA affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout South Carolina. For more information on NAREB Investment Division-HCA, call the organization’s Columbia office at 1.803.254.1636.

Charleston

* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Memphis. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Tennessee office at 1.916.396.3366 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NID-HCA. Bank of America works with NAREB Investment Division-HCA affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Tennessee. For more information on NAREB Investment Division-HCA, call the organization’s Memphis office at 1.901.458.4663.

Nashville

* HomeFree-USA. Bank of America works with HomeFree-USA affiliates to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Nashville. For more information, call Residential Resources, Inc., office at 1.615.650.9779.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Tennessee. For more information call Affordable Housing Resources office at 1.615.251.0025.

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Texas. For more information call Cen-Tex Certified Development Corporation office at 1.512.912.9884.

Dallas/Ft. Worth

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing Corporation to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Dallas. For more information, call ACORN’s Dallas office at 1.214.823.9885 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Dallas and Fort Worth. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Texas office at 1.817.608.9610 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Dallas/Ft. Worth. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Vecinos Unidos office at 1.214.761.1086 for more information.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Texas. For more information call Cen-Tex Certified Development Corporation office at 1.512.912.9884.

El Paso

* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of El Paso. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call YWCA CCCS El Paso Del Norte Region at 1.915.577.2530 for more information.

Houston

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgage products to potential homeowners in Houston. For more information, call ACORN’s Houston office at 1.713.863.9002 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Texas. For more information call Avenue Community Development Corporation office at 1.713.864.8099.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Texas. For more information call Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation office at 1.713.864.8099.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Texas. For more information call Tejano Center for Community Concern office at 1.713.644.2340.
* NID-HCA. Bank of America works with NAREB Investment Division-HCA affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Houston. For more information on NAREB Investment Division-HCA, call the organization’s Houston office at 1.281.260.8289.

San Antonio

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing Corporation to provide special mortgage products to potential homeowners in San Antonio. For more information, call ACORN’s San Antonio office at 1.210.432.4663 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NACA. Bank of America works with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of San Antonio. NACA offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call NACA’s Texas office at 1.817.608.9610 for more information. Or call NACA’s national office toll free at 1.888.302.6222 (NACA) or visit the website at www.naca.com.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Texas. For more information call Alamo Area Mutual Housing Association office at 1.210.731.8030.

* NCLR. Bank of America works with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to provide affordable mortgages to the people of Falls Church. NCLR offers homeownership counseling and Bank of America provides special mortgages. Call Hispanic Committee of Virginia office at 1.703.671.5666 for more information.

Richmond

* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Richmond. For more information, call NHS of Richmond at 1.804.329.2500.

* ACORN. Bank of America works with Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Housing to provide special mortgages to potential homeowners in Seattle. For more information, call ACORN’s Seattle office at 1.206.723.5845 or visit the website at www.acornhousing.org.
* NeighborWorks® America. Bank of America works through the NeighborWorks® America affiliates to provide affordable mortgages to people throughout Washington. For more information call HomeSight office at 1.888.749.4663.
As I said last week: Any self-respecting Senate Republican who would vote for this multi-billion-dollar slush fund in the name of saving the economy needs his or her head examined.

Steve Sailer has a new report on the minority mortgage meltdown.

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/02/02/your-tax-dollars-at-work-bank-of-america-forks-over-2-million-to-acorn/

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.