It comes as no surprise that the right-wing, Koch
brothers-funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) says the “best” of
the nation’s states’ economies can be found in states where corporations are
king and the middle class is an after-thought, if that, in state policies such
as taxes, environmental laws and wages.
ALEC recently released its report, “Rich States Poor
States” that supposedly gauges the economic health of each of the 50
states. But, says Ann Pratt, Executive
Director of Progressive States Network, “At a time when the economic security
of the middle class is in peril, these rankings based on a corporate wish list
of anti-middle class policies could not be more divorced from reality.”
To ALEC and their CEO friends, a
state with a low minimum wage, one in where there are fewer jobs, or one in
which millionaires don’t pay their fair share in taxes is considered “richer”
than one which pursues policies that actually ensure the economic security of
the middle class. After seven straight months of job losses in the state and
local government sector, with teachers, firefighters, and policeman losing
their jobs every single day, the criteria used by ALEC to assess states’
economic health are not only wrong—they are irresponsible.
ALEC’s economists give points to right-to-work states,
low minimum wage laws, low corporate tax rates, weak workers’ compensation, the
“quality of legal system”—probably more accurately described as few regulations
to obey—and other criteria.
But Pratt points out that:
Many economists have noted that
state policies like a fair minimum wage, progressive tax systems, and the right
of private businesses to enter into a contract with their employees do not
hinder states, but rather help state economies become more prosperous for all.
That’s the catch—Prosperous for all.
__________________________
Same old same old – on Capitol Hill today.
Except this time it is all about ALEC flexing their
muscle at the US citizen.
ALEC – Not just for state legislative screw-ups anymore.
Look out Americans
- You screw with ALEC
- and ALEC's new PR firm tells ALEC to screw with the US government.
Look out Americans
- You screw with ALEC
- and ALEC's new PR firm tells ALEC to screw with the US government.
Wonder who paid for this and if it went over the lobbying
limit
How much was the room worth?
How much was the time worth of each of the people there?
Did they serve treats?
Did they serve treats?
Wonder is ALEC's POSTER BOY - Scott Walker -
was there - spouting the ALEC "Fiscal Successes" in Wisconsin...Just follow ALEC Alum Scott Walker's lead and
The US Government can be just like ALEC's Wisconsin - Woo Hoo!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment