Opinions vary, facts don’t

By Bill Mullane and Kirk Noden

Vindicator

Recently, a handful of protestors arrived to a press conference at a community health clinic to make clear their opposition to two things: the recently passed health care reform bill and the work of the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC).

We welcome the exchange of ideas and the push and pull of interests that make our democracy vibrant. However, we would also agree with the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan who once said, “You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.”

On behalf of MVOC and the hundreds of community members that work with and stand behind it, we would like to take a moment to provide clarity on those facts.

Our opponents suggest that we are partisan political group or merely a front for someone’s political agenda. The fact is MVOC is non-partisan. Those who participate in our organization craft our agenda and our campaigns. Over 3,500 people have actively participated in MVOC’s work since its inception two years ago making it the largest, most active community organization in the Valley. We became a leading voice for health care reform in the Valley because it is an issue that impacts thousands of our families, which is why hundreds of every day citizens — from churches, neighborhood groups, social service agencies, and other non-profits — have led MVOC’s effort.

Private foundations

Our opponents say that we are primarily funded by government money and contributions from labor unions. The fact is we don’t receive government money and while we have a close relationship with our allies in the labor movement, unions do not fund us. We are funded by private foundations and membership dues.

Our opponents say we are ACORN’s local arm. This accusation is nothing more than an attempted smear. MVOC is not nor ever has been a branch of ACORN. The fact is that MVOC has been recognized for its impact in communities by local foundations, in national publications, and has experienced tremendous growth in terms of its funding and participation.

Our opponents say that our efforts to bring state and federal resources to the Valley are an attempt to enrich ourselves, to directly fund MVOC. The fact is that none of these funds would come to MVOC. Moreover, MVOC does not want such funds. The Valley is faced with such problems that it cannot solve them or build a truly health community without outside resources. Youngstown does not and will not have the capacity to address 4,500 abandoned buildings and 22,000 vacant lots. We fight for these resources because our cities, our community, our economic development groups cannot succeed without additional state and federal resources.

Democracy is defined by the open exchange of ideas it promotes. It is defined by the ability to exercise informed consent and by the tug and pull of interests from every side. Democracy disintegrates when it is built on misinformation, propaganda, bullying, and deceit. MVOC’s role in the Valley is to be a vehicle for everyday people. It provides them with the resources and the ability to have their interests met whether that is seeing their neighborhood’s vacant properties cleaned up or being able to get health insurance for their children. It provides them with a voice.

Clearly, if MVOC was free of opposition it would be a definitive sign we aren’t doing anything. We welcome opponents and their opinions and the free exchange of ideas. But the late Senator was correct: you cannot make up your own facts.

Bill Mullane is board chair of the MVOC and Kirk Noden is executive director. Its Web sit is http://www.mvorganizing.org.