ALEC - A Place for Excluded Voices - HAH!

It always amazes me when righties step forward to praise and defend the American Legislative Exchange council (ALEC).  It is evident that the Repugs meme is so strong that they can’t even seem to figure out that there may be flaws in their argument – even when they take the time to put it to paper.

I can understand verbally spewing talking points  - but when you write something you should really take a moment to proof it and ask yourself – do I need to support or strengthen that sentence?

There was a piece of pro-ALEC propaganda released that makes a general statement – which unfortunately I need to take a look at.  (My emphasis throughout the entry.)

SMITH: Driving the market from the marketplace of ideas

ALEC’S leftist critics prefer speech suppression to democratic debate

Fred Smith is president of the Competitive Enterprise Institute

The campaign against ALEC is part of a greater concerted effort to drive productive economic voices from the policy debate.

Businesses have every right and, in fact, a responsibility to push back against reckless job-destroying legislation. If the for-profit sector can’t participate in political debate, practical voices will be excluded in favor of those motivated only by ideology.

ALEC plays a valuable role in ensuring that state policymakers consider how legislative and regulatory initiatives affect the main role of business - wealth creation.

Our democratic republic runs on the fuel of open debate.

From that bunch of right wing hyperbole – I want to focus on this:

If the for-profit sector can’t participate in political debate,

practical voices will be excluded

in favor of those motivated only by ideology.

 

The Minnesota Campaign Finance Board released a report that detailed the spending on lobbying of the Minnesota Legislature and the Dayton Administration in 2011. The Board reports that $59 million was spent to influence the Legislature and the Administration.

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH VOICE FOR THE PROFIT SECTOR?

And then in Wisconsin you have these lobbyist  numbers reported:

2011 (First Half) – Overall, lobbying organizations reported spending $23.9 million,

2010 - $29 million

2009 - $36 million

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH VOICE FOR THE PROFIT SECTOR?

And in Iowa you have this:

Under the dome of the Iowa capitol, and against the backdrop of this century-old historic architectural grandeur, is a flurry of activity focused on the present. Many of the people in the second floor rotunda, just outside the doors to the House and Senate chambers, are some of the 685 lobbyists registered to lobby the legislature. 685 -- that's 4.5 lobbyists per lawmaker.

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH VOICE FOR THE PROFIT SECTOR?

Based on the amount of cash that came in on that occasion, studies estimate that companies made $220 for every $1 they spent on lobbying.

The study by researchers at the University of Kansas underscores the central reason that lobbying has become a $3 billion-a-year industry in Washington:

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH VOICE FOR THE PROFIT SECTOR?

Since the 1970s, there has been explosive growth in the lobbying industry, particularly in Washington D.C.. By 2011, one estimate of overall lobbying spending nationally was $30+ billion dollars.

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH VOICE FOR THE PROFIT SECTOR?

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH VOICE FOR THE PROFIT SECTOR?

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH VOICE FOR THE PROFIT SECTOR?

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH VOICE FOR THE PROFIT SECTOR?

REALLY???????

   

Evidently the answer if – Hell NO! – that is  not enough!

Lobbying for or against legislation is not enough.

CORPORATIONS WANT  TO WRITE THE LEGISLATION

And that is what ALEC provides them.                         

The opportunity to write legislation.

If the for-profit sector can’t participate in political debate,

practical voices will be excluded

STICK IT - Mr Smith!