American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Rears Its Head Again
The mainstream “media” never mentions the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). But if you check out the non-mainstream news sites at all, you’re probably familiar with ALEC, a corporate front group funded by the Koch Brothers, Exxon Mobil and BP, among others.
You didn’t really think state lawmakers were actually designing their own legislation, did you? Riiight. That’s sooo last century.
Whenever a bunch of new cookie-cutter state laws are passed in lockstep, you can be pretty certain that these laws have been dictated by ALEC. ALEC is the boss; the man behind the curtain. Your state “legislator” is basically just a stenographer taking dictation.
Who dictated the wave of Voter ID laws rolling off the assembly line? ALEC.
The numerous Stand Your Ground laws that are suddenly being scrutinized because of George Zimmerman’s murder of Trayvon Martin? ALEC.
Union-busting legislation? Ditto.
And now the latest instruction memo from ALEC: the wave of new state laws “demanding” that the federal government return all federally-owned public lands back to the states.
So far Utah is the only state to pass this law. But Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico and Montana will soon get with the program and jump on the bandwagon, as ordered.
Makes you wonder what these state “legislators” are getting paid for. Secretaries don’t usually get a 7-figure salary, do they?
Labels: ALEC, American Legislative Exchange Council, return federal land to states
posted by Tom Harper @ 6:25 PM
14 Comments:
FYI
The legislators in most of the ALEC-dominated states are "part-time" legislators, paid some nominal salary (decidedly 5 figures though, *not* 7 figures), in session for only a few weeks a year and even, in some states, only every other year. It's a setup that's completely incompatible with the demands of running a modern state, which is why ALEC is so capable of dominating it.
So here's all these part-time legislators. They won election, but they're mostly off doing whatever they make their living with. They come in and there's all this stuff that needs doing, all these constituents want laws passed, all these various lobbyists frantically lobbying them for one special interest or another. ALEC comes in, meets up with these totally overwhelmed part-time legislators, and say "hey don't you worry yourself about how to do your job, we've already done the hard work for you, complete with talking points! And hey, we're funded by the same people who funded *your* election, so you can trust us." And the dumb goobers fall for it!
This is what happens when 19th century governance is carried through into the 21st century... it simply doesn't work, and ALEC is taking advantage of that big-time.
- Badtux the Political Penguin
Lisa, have you got even a single fucking thought in your head that wasn't planted there by some lunatic right-wing asshat? People as stupid as you are can only be entertaining for so long-sometimes, we'd actually like to know if you know a single damned thing. Posting some stupid bullshit link from Yahoo! answers doesn't qualify as "knowing" something; with enough time and the right treats, I could teach my dog to post links.
But my dog is capable of thinking. Comparing her to you is demeaning to the dog. I have to go apologize now.
ALEC is an abomination and a perfect example of why this country is so screwed up today. It is sneaky, self-serving, and dishonest - need I say more?
ALEC is an abomination and a perfect example of why this country is so screwed up today. It is sneaky, self-serving, and dishonest - need I say more?
oh blah,blha ,blah Samuel
I didn't figure you'd have an answer, Lisa. You haven't ever had a thought that Hannity didn't stick up your ass.
Maybe if you asked a realistic question once in a while you'd get an answer......maybe!
Bad Tux
Do you know any legislators that make 7 figures?
I will also blame part of this for the big rise in term limits across the country. It has given us less experienced legislators who was always looking for a job
Erik
Lisa those Freedom Fries ain't gonna fry themselves.
And get us a all a beer while you're at it, huh?
Maybe if you proved that you had even one thought not pumped up your ass by Boortz, I'd have a question to ask.
Now, don't you have some dishes to wash or something?
Anon-I'll fry you some freedom fries if you promise not to snot them out your nose.
JR-Don't you have a toe-nail fungus to tend to?
BT: Thanks for the info. I didn't know that. I knew Texas had a part time legislature, but I didn't know other states did too. That definitely makes them easy pickin's for a slick group like ALEC.
JR: LOL, I hope your dog forgave you.
Jack: Perfect description. ALEC is a festering abscess that needs to be drained.
Erik: I've always been in between about term limits. But this could certainly be one of the side effects.
Anonymous: Haven't thought of Freedom Fries in a long time.
Tom, your festering abcess diagnosis is perfect. I can't top that. ;)
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