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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

ALEC's Grand Poobah Pontificates


“ALEC has a legislative track record of which we are very, very proud   …  “
Right-to-work for less, kill at will, Voter ID, Immigration, Prison labor, Elimination of the minimum wage, Elimination of pay based on comparable worth, defining ecological protestors as terrorists, privatization of government goods and services, legislation that increases fracking, legislation that increases greenhouse gas omissions, legislation that decimates government agencies like the EPA and FDA, elimination of good paying union jobs, gutting employee pension funds,  elimination of consumer rights, promoting the sales of smokeless tobacco with lower taxes, protecting the patent and trademarks of their corporate profit sector members (Genetically modified plants, tobacco packing), opposing and actively fighting the Affordable Healthcare Act
“And we look forward to even more success.”
“It's gratifying to see this work happen, and it's important that it continues”



From the Utah DesertNews
Ron Scheberle is the executive director for the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, based in Washington, D.C.

Published: Tuesday, July 24 2012 12:00 a.m. MDT

ALEC is in every state capital working with lawmakers of all political stripes to develop policies that drive more job creation and greater economic growth.
Literally they are – whenever an ALEC bill comes for discussion ALEC staff will come into town or they are there by phone to coach their ALEC member.

I have the opportunity to work with innovative business leaders who are creating jobs and growing the economy. And I get to do this alongside a staff of professionals who believe, like I do, that free markets and limited governments are the surest ways to build a stronger America.
Notice how he doesn’t mention the state legislators, first.  Key point here – ALEC is about working with “business leaders’.  " Morethan 98% of ALEC's revenues come from sources other than legislative dues, such as corporations, corporate trade groups, and corporate foundations." 
 
Every day, I have the privilege of working with more than 2,000 legislators from across the country and from both sides of the aisle. I have the opportunity to work with innovative business leaders who are creating jobs and growing the economy. And I get to do this alongside a staff of professionals who believe, like I do, that free markets and limited governments are the surest ways to build a stronger America.
Interesting on how the language has change here –used to be over 2,700 legislators -, now it is over 2,000 – hmmmmmmmmmmmm.  It was down to more than 1,800 legislators about five years ago -.  Goal is “more than 5 legislators”.  Thought ALEC was advertising that they were gaining members – more lies.

Both sides of the aisle - nope – not really, unless you consider right-wing and extremist right-wing to be “both sides of the aisle”.  "The facts show that it currently has one Democrat out of 104 legislators in leadership positions. "

Those staff of professionals includes Michael Hough – who just happens to be a member of the Massachusetts assembly also.

A staff of professionals that believe in free markets – not so much -  when staff and members are complaining about the free market causing ALEC Corporate members to DumpALEC.  You only like the free market when it is beneficial to ALEC Corporate Profit Sector members.  The “free market” has been destroyed by ALEC’s interference in the market by writing and promoting legislation that is pro-business.


As the executive director of the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, I see first-hand how the exchange of ideas and an open forum in which to discuss them can — and has — made a real difference in the lives of working Americans. I've seen our members work together to promote and pass resolutions that advance common sense solutions to some of the most pressing economic issues of the day. It's gratifying to see this work happen, and it's important that it continues.
Where’s the infamous phrase “public-private partnership” in this statement.? 
Causing you problems, eh?????

Right-to-work for less, kill at will, Voter ID, Immigration, Prison labor, Elimination of the minimum wage, Elimination of pay based on comparable worth, defining ecological protestors as terrorists, privatization of government goods and services, legislation that increases fracking, legislation that increases greenhouse gas omissions, legislation that decimates government agencies like the EPA and FDA, elimination of good paying union jobs, gutting employee pension funds,  elimination of consumer rights, promoting the sales of smokeless tobacco with lower taxes, protecting the patent and trademarks of their corporate profit sector members (Genetically modified plants, tobacco packing), opposing and actively fighting the Affordable Healthcare Act


“It's gratifying to see this work happen, and it's important that it continues”

This week, ALEC members are gathered here in Salt Lake City to do just that. Our meeting theme, "Compete, innovate and put more Americans back to work," is more than just something we say.
I’m sure it is.  Are we talking private prison slave labor here?  Are we talking the ALEC elimination of the minimum wage legislation here?  Are we talking about the ALEC legislation eliminating comparable worth here?  Are we talking about ALEC legislation to destroy union membership here?  Are we talking about ALEC legislation that...
Earlier this year, a small but active group of ideological extremists put ALEC in the headlines
Well – the title expands – to date ALEC supporter and ALEC themselves have referred to us as:
Marxist radical opponents, who are communists
Now we are Marxist radical opponents , who are communists , who are ideological extremists.

Well I would call the ALEC ideology a little extreme – too!
I would consider a fascist ideology kinda extreme! 

Right-to-work for less, kill at will, Voter ID, Immigration, Prison labor, Elimination of the minimum wage, Elimination of pay based on comparable worth, defining ecological protestors as terrorists, privatization of government goods and services, legislation that increases fracking, legislation that increases greenhouse gas omissions, legislation that decimates government agencies like the EPA and FDA, elimination of good paying union jobs, gutting employee pension funds,  elimination of consumer rights, promoting the sales of smokeless tobacco with lower taxes, protecting the patent and trademarks of their corporate profit sector members (Genetically modified plants, tobacco packing), opposing and actively fighting the Affordable Healthcare Act


ALEC is not a social policy organization — which is why we clarified our mission and focus as an organization right as the current economic conditions are demanding it.

“ALEC has a legislative track record of which we are very, very proud   …  “
Right-to-work for less, kill at will, Voter ID, Immigration, Prison labor, Elimination of the minimum wage, Elimination of pay based on comparable worth, defining ecological protestors as terrorists, privatization of government goods and services, legislation that increases fracking, legislation that increases greenhouse gas omissions, legislation that decimates government agencies like the EPA and FDA, elimination of good paying union jobs, gutting employee pension funds,  elimination of consumer rights, promoting the sales of smokeless tobacco with lower taxes, protecting the patent and trademarks of their corporate profit sector members (Genetically modified plants, tobacco packing), opposing and actively fighting the Affordable Healthcare Act
“And we look forward to even more success.”

In April, we released our annual "Rich States, Poor States" study. Economists examined economic policies in all 50 states and determined Utah to be the state with the strongest economic outcome in the nation. This is due to Utah legislators' commitment to maintaining a competitive fiscal policy, a flat 5 percent tax rate and an employee pension reform effort.

For the fifth edition of their annual Rich States, Poor States report, the increasingly controversial corporate-backed group has once again partnered with notorious supply-side economist Arthur Laffer to rank the 50 states based on their “economic outlook.”

Yet one look at some of the criteria used to generate this survey reveals that ALEC largely values the “well-being” not of families or state economies, but of the very same corporate interests that fund ALEC. 

Right-to-work for less, kill at will, Voter ID, Immigration, Prison labor, Elimination of the minimum wage, Elimination of pay based on comparable worth, defining ecological protestors as terrorists, privatization of government goods and services, legislation that increases fracking, legislation that increases greenhouse gas omissions, legislation that decimates government agencies like the EPA and FDA, elimination of good paying union jobs, gutting employee pension funds,  elimination of consumer rights, promoting the sales of smokeless tobacco with lower taxes, protecting the patent and trademarks of their corporate profit sector members (Genetically modified plants, tobacco packing), opposing and actively fighting the Affordable Healthcare Act

These are exactly the types of policies that ALEC members work to advance. The opportunities for collaboration and partnership that ALEC provides are exactly what we need more of. Year after year, our growing membership numbers tell us that companies and legislators want more of it, too.

Where is the infamous “public-private partnership”?
Why are the Corporate Profit Sector members not being glorified and sanctified in this editorial?

Corporations on ALEC task forces VOTE on the"model" bills and resolutions, and sit as equals with legislators voting on the ALEC task forces and various working groups. Corporate and legislative governing boards also meet jointly each year. (ALEC says only the legislators have a final say on all model bills. ALEC has previously said that "The policies are debated and voted on by all members. Public and private members vote separately on policy. It is important to note that laws are not passed, debated or adopted during this process and therefor no lobbying takes place. That process is done at the state legislature.")

Our annual meeting represents an opportunity to do just that,   … 

Ron Scheberle is the executive director for the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, based in Washington, D.C.


“ALEC has a legislative track record of which we are very, very proud
Right-to-work for less, kill at will, Voter ID, Immigration, Prison labor, Elimination of the minimum wage, Elimination of pay based on comparable worth, defining ecological protestors as terrorists, privatization of government goods and services, legislation that increases fracking, legislation that increases greenhouse gas omissions, legislation that decimates government agencies like the EPA and FDA, elimination of good paying union jobs, gutting employee pension funds,  elimination of consumer rights, promoting the sales of smokeless tobacco with lower taxes, protecting the patent and trademarks of their corporate profit sector members (Genetically modified plants, tobacco packing), opposing and actively fighting the Affordable Healthcare Act
“And we look forward to even more success.”
“It's gratifying to see this work happen, and it's important that it continues"
"Our annual meeting represents the opportunity to do just that ..."

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