Steve Martin (VA-ALEC) - HIs ALEC Delusions

I have my days when I run into a self-righteous ALEC members spouting off their ALEC lies and I actually pass it by - yes I do.

Well this morning the universe put a webpage in my face again – because they updated it within the past twenty four hours – which I found interesting.  And I saw it as a sign that I should have commented on it last time I saw it.

The other reason I flew by this one earlier is because I really think that it was the responsibility of someone else to rebut this – but evidently – others don’t have time.

This piece of right wing crap comes from Steve Martin in Virginia.

He originally posted this a little over a month ago because he was pissed off at the liberals exposing the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)  in Virginia and elsewhere.  He updated the page in the last twenty four hours and I’m wondering if  – in true ALEC fashion – what did he change or delete?

So let’s take a look at what he has to say in little snips.

You can read the whole disgusting piece of ALEC propaganda  >>>>HERE<<<<<

HERE WE GO - Down another ALEC rabbit hole.

In reference to the ALEC meeting in Charlotte this past May (that’s how old the original is)

I am sure the Occupy folks and SEIU (most of whom are shipped in and many paid to attend) are already getting in place all around the meeting space,

Unlike ALEC members – we DON”T GET "scholarships" paid for by CORPORATIONS to attend events - virtually free!

ProgressVA has been inquiring as to my thoughts on ALEC, so I wrote the following response. I am publishing it on all my media outlets, to make it more difficult for them to get by with creative editing. It seems likely they will still do their negative spin and misrepresent the organization.

The only people doing “creative editing” are ALEC MEMBERS when they spread ALEC propaganda as will be evidenced on his webpage.

My question to ProgressVA - and other “concerned” entities - is this: Why are you singling out ALEC? They operate in the same way as NCSL and CSG.

Becausewecan

NO THEY DON’T –

Almost 98% of ALEC's funding comes from corporations like Exxon Mobil, corporate "foundations" like the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, or trade associations like the pharmaceutical industry's PhRMA and sources other than "legislative dues."

• NCSL is run by an Executive Committee made up oflegislators only.
• NCSL does not accept for-profit corporate members or donors.
• NCSL is led by a fully bipartisan group of legislators through an "Executive Committee." Each year, the chair of NCSL's Executive Committee rotates between Republican and Democratic legislators.

Wrongo - Mr. Martin.  Intentionally lying?
- only you know for sure - and I'm sure you know for sure.

And despite the blatant misinformation being dispensed, businesses cannot make a decision about what should be model legislation (again, to be looked at simply as a resource) in any of these organizations.

Oh really – then these pieces of ALEC  legislation authored/sponsored by CORPORATIONS as shown in actual ALEC minutes from ALEC Task Force meetings are lies?  ALEC Task Force minutes contain lies?

• “The Open and Fair Competition Act for Water and Wastewater Projects” – Mr. Bruce Hollands, PVC Pipe Association
• “Resolution Opposing Regulation Intruding on the States’ Traditional Role as the Primary Regulator of Homeowners Insurance” – Mr. Emory Wilkerson, State Farm Insurance Company
• “Multiple Award Schedule Contracts Act” – by Mr. Thom Iles, John Deere & Company
• “Resolution in Support of Payroll Cards” – Ms. Kate Viar, VISA
• “Electronic Pay Choice Act” – Paul Russinoff, VISA
• “The Share the Road Safety Act” – by Ted Scott, American Trucking Association

With ALEC, a measure cannot even become a "model bill" without a majority vote by the elected members (exactly like NCSL and CSG).

He forgot to say a majority vote that includes CORPORATE LOBBYISTS! As documented in these excerpts of ALEC minutes from ALEC Task Force meetings – Hey MR Martin – are these also ALEC lies – they are from ALEC documents?

• Motion to adopt the model legislation as amended; passed the public sector with one dissenting vote; passed the private sector unanimously. Bill Passed.
• Motion to adopt the model resolution; passed the public sector unanimously; passed the private sector unanimously. Resolution Passed.
• Motion to adopt the model legislation as amended; passed public sector with two dissenting votes; passed private sector unanimously. Bill Passed.
• Motion to adopt the model resolution; passed the public sector unanimously; passed the private sector unanimously; Resolution Passed.

PRIVATE SECTOR = CORPORATE LOBBYIST

And then there is this little piece of information

On final passage of the resolution as amended, the public sector voted 17-1 in favor of the resolution, but the private sector voted 8-8 in favor; thus, the resolution failed on final passage because it failed to achieve a majority of support from the private sector.

Wrong again - Mr. Martin.  Intentionally lying?
- only you know for sure - and I'm sure you know for sure.

So, why are you asking? What is your concern?

Do you want legislators to only consider your perspective, or is it okay for them to hear from others?

I can’t believe that he has the gall to even close his diatribe with those two questions.

But then it is evident that he is an ALEC-er first and a public servant second

AND he needs to be removed from office 

Minutes of ALEC Task Force Meetings can be found at the Common Cause webpage.