The Smart-ALECs Who Are Writing the GOP’s Laws

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.winningprogressive.org/the-smart-alecs-who-are-writing-the-gops-laws

:snip:

When Wisconsin has a new law that destroys collective bargaining, how does that same law almost instantaneously show up in ten other statehouses? When Florida presents anti-abortion legislation, why are 25 other states doing the same thing at the same time? When Michigan decides that it is a good idea to privatize, well, everything, why do other state legislatures follow suit so quickly? For years, I thought this was just dumb luck or even some kind of political ESP, or maybe even some sort of wild conspiracy theory, but then thought I was being foolish! How could states be reading from the same playbook? Could it be possible that there was a conspiracy? No! More than likely, I concluded, it was dumb luck!

Not only is it not dumb luck, it is a well-orchestrated, well-financed, corporate conspiracy that has successfully infiltrated every state legislature in the United States. The legislation that you see repeated daily in states across the country is actually from a playbook brought to America by way of ALEC, a group that seeks to promote legislation that benefits corporations and robs consumers and the electorate.

ALEC is short for the American Legislative Exchange Council. It is a not-for-profit (aren’t they all?) organization designed to be a one-stop shopping experience for state legislators. The legislation offered by ALEC is usually always geared to the advancement of corporate interests and the laws are actually written by corporate lobbyists. Shocked? No? Nothing shocks me anymore, either. ALEC has its grubby hands in every single legislative body in this country. They are so blatantly outrageous that their website shows each legislator chairperson that handles and promotes “friendly” corporate laws. The legislative contact for each state is also the legislative sell-out.

ALEC was founded in 1973 by Paul Weyrich, who also helped found the Heritage Foundation and the Moral Majority. It has been reported that the major funders are the Koch Foundation, Exxon Mobil, the Coors family and several other ultra right-wing corporate interests. Their list of board members are from AT&T, Wal-Mart, Johnson & Johnson, State Farm, Bayer, Coca-Cola, etc.

More at the link --

[Tippy]

1. My Rep when I confronted him on ALEC had this to say

Thank you for your thoughtful comments and concerns regarding the Voter ID bill that passed the House Floor. It is my understanding that approximately 10,000 voters across the state were purged from the Voter rolls since 2008. I am not aware of ALEC as described in your email but I have not met with or discussed this bill with anyone from their lobby or association.

I appreciate your input regarding the legislation and appreciate the opportunity to serve you and the 42nd District.

Sincerely,

Rep. Ryan Williams....TN....

Not aware my ass...................

[FiveGoodMen]

2. K&R

[nebenaube]

3. ALEC CORRUPTS THE LABORATORIES OF DEMOCRACY!

It is seditious.