Questions about ALEC vs the Tides Foundation

[immoderate]

A right wing friend sent me a video by David Horowitz which claims that left wing political power exceeds the right by citing the works of the Tides foundation as an opposition to ALEC. Tides gets donations from Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, and some money clearly goes to progressive causes, like environment and education, etc. I see one as constructiveand the other as destructive, but my friend doesn't.

I'm pretty sure there is no parity here and the missions are different, but I don't know enough about Tides to debunk the allegation. Can someone familiar with both, or even one, guide me to some way to compare the activities of both?

I will surely appreciate it.

--imm

[benld74]

1. http://www.tides.org/

[immoderate]

2. Thanks but it doesn't help me build the perspective I need.

So far, they are two lobbying organizations. I need a hook to understand the differences.

--imm

[rurallib]

3. I had never even heard of Tides until now

but based on what I see on their website, they seem to be a philanthropic organization working in the open to better the world. They look to be non-partisan.

ALEC, while not calling itself such, is basically a unified lobbying arm of corporate America, run by and for corporate America to lobby state legislators and in many ways do their work for them (model legislation). ALEC's white washing language belies their purpose and methods. Make no doubt their only goals are to corporatize our government.
ALEC of course works behind closed doors, in secret to do its dirty work.

ETA they are so toxic that association with them hurts the business of companies like J'n'J, P&G, Walmart

[immoderate]

5. As good a comparison as I've seen...

That's pretty much what I've got together, and well put.

So far I said, "You must recognize the difference between a reactionary propaganda mill and a real philanthropy."

My friend doesn't see it. He insists photo-IDs are to prevent voter fraud.

Thanks for the input -- I'll use it.

--imm

[bobthedrummer]

4. ALEC Exposed (The Center for Media and Democracy)

http://www.alecexposed.org

[immoderate]

6. A great resource, thanks!

--imm

[immoderate]

7. Kick.

--imm

[immoderate]

8. Go.