Chevron(ALEC) - Gives Boehner (ALEC) Too much Money??

I am taking two items that I found at Daily Kos this morning and making a couple of additions (in bold) to the citations that were referenced in the DK diary.

I really think it is important to realize the horrible precedence set by the American Legislative Exchange Council, when it comes to corporate money in politics.

I realize that even though the information is out there – press and others don’t use it – because they intentionally don’t want to connect the dots. Partly because most people still - still don't understand what ALEC is or does or the incredible damage it is causing to our political system and government.

March 5, 2013

Groups Urge FEC to Take Action Against Chevron for $2.5 Million Super PAC Contribution

Money Given to Congressional Leadership Fund Violates Prohibition on Political Giving by Federal Contractors

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Election Commission (FEC) should take enforcement action against Chevron for its $2.5 million contribution to a Republican-tied super PAC because it violated a prohibition against political donations by federal contractors, Public Citizen, Friends of the Earth U.S., Greenpeace and Oil Change International said in a complaint sent today to the FEC.

In October, Chevron [ALEC Corporate member] gave $2.5 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC reportedly tied to House Speaker John Boehner ([ALEC ALUMNI]) and the congressional campaign committee of the Republican Party. Government contractors such as Chevron are strictly prohibited by federal law from making “any … contribution to any political party, committee or candidate for public office or to any person for any political purpose or use.”

“The ‘pay-to play’ prohibition exists because of a long and seedy record of companies attempting to buy lucrative government business by filling the campaign coffers of politicians,” said Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen. “The same process also protects against officials extorting money from companies wishing to do business with the government.”

Pay – to –play – Sounds like a good name for ALEC Meetings

“Chevron’s multimillion dollar contribution to the super PAC run on behalf of the National Republican Congressional Committee and House Speaker John Boehner is classic pay-to-play abuse at its worst,” said Stephen Kretzmann, executive director of Oil Change International. “That money buys them government contracts and House leadership that reliably backs Big Oil’s agenda including preserving subsidies and gutting regulations. It’s a bargain for Chevron, and the American people have to pay.”

And Chevron does this at ALEC meetings.

ALEC meetings help Chevron buy legislation - buy de-regulation.

ALEC is a bargain for Chevron – and the American people end up paying for that also.

“People around the world have stood up to Chevron for contaminating our communities,” said Phil Radford, executive director of Greenpeace. “Now, together, we are standing up to the company’s brazen attempt to pollute our democracy with its dirty money.”

And part of that is because Chevron get use to pay-to-play at ALEC meetings with state legislators

And I bet it doesn’t stop there.

I'm sure you would find more ALEC connections - if they bothered to look.

Congressional Leadership Fund Reports $8.7M on Hand

By David M. Drucker Posted at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25, 2012

Congressional Leadership Fund reported raising $3.1 million Oct. 1-17, to close the period with $8.7 million in cash on hand.

According to Congressional Leadership Fund’s Federal Election Commission report, its donors this month include August Busch III, [chairman and CEO of ALEC Corporate member Anheuser-Busch]who contributed $50,000, and Chevron [ALEC Corporate member], which gave $2.5 million.

Congressional Leadership Fund is dedicated to investing in House races on behalf of Republican candidates. The group is referred to by some as Speaker John Boehner’s [ALEC ALUMNI] super PAC.

Pay to play

Sounds like ALEC to me