ALEC's Convenient Distorted Jeffersonian View

” I Come to Praise ALEC, or to Bury Him”.

For the past week or so –  Each time a legislator has praised or allegedly buried ALEC, most of them when speaking of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) have spouted off about the “Jeffersonian” aspect of ALEC.

  

Here are some direct snips from the past  week:

  …  the American Legislative Exchange Council, a group of conservative state legislators which was founded in 1973 to promote Jeffersonian principles of small government.

Ehrhart said. “We’re not communists. We have Jeffersonian principles. It’s in the mission statement.

State Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) “But because of that dimension, the left has seen that as this chink in their armor that they can take a crack at ALEC. But the real motivation is because ALEC is so successful at promoting limited government, free markets and Jeffersonian federalism.”

Rep. Ted Vick    “When I joined ALEC eight years ago, it was a very different organization. It was much more bipartisan and reflected the Jeffersonian view of limited but effective government.”

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they speak.

Jeffersonian views, ideas, philosophies???
   A very limited view of Jefferson’s views – if you ask me.

   A very skewed view of Jeffersonian though – if you ask me.

   A very convenient use (by ALEC) of distorted and truncated Jeffersonian thought.

I prefer these Jeffersonian philosophies (fromBrainyQuote) – which seem at extreme odds with ALEC.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Thomas Jefferson

I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.

Thomas Jefferson

Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains.

Thomas Jefferson

The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.

Thomas Jefferson

That government is the strongest of which every man feels himself a part.

Thomas Jefferson

Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

Thomas Jefferson

Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.

Thomas Jefferson

It is always better to have no ideas than false ones; to believe nothing, than to believe what is wrong.

Thomas Jefferson

BUT, from THE ALEC perspective – their mission specifically says this:

The American Legislative Exchange Council's mission is to advance the Jeffersonian principles of free markets

Whereas, I rebut with these Jefferson quotes:

I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.

Thomas Jefferson

Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains.

Thomas Jefferson

And in my defense, I add this comment left on an article by someone else, about ALEC’s “Jeffersonian” view:

I’d also add that it is ludicrous and hypocritical for ALEC to assign “Jeffersonian” principles to its operating values. Its membership, their tactics, and their model legislation represent a far cry from Jefferson’s “Empire of Liberty.” I’m all about Jeffersonian principles and ALEC embodies none

And in closing I note this last quote for ALEC – in the Jeffersonian tradition:

Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.

Thomas Jefferson

BECAUSE WE ARE!!!