Grosserode (KS) - On Buying Votes at ALEC meeting

Had to publish this - as it has been on my mind ever since I left Phoenix.

In the Arizona Republic newspaper they had a pretty good article on the protest against the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) which included this:

Lawmakers were aware of the protests but dismissed the protesters' concerns of undue influence.

"They presume that my vote can be bought, and it can't," said Amanda Grosserode, a GOP lawmaker from Lenexa, Kan.

Well, Ms Grosserode - if you were at the swanky Westin Keirland on a "scholarship" - they did indeed buy your vote. 

If ANYONE other than you paid for your food, your lodging, your airfare - they deed indeed buy your vote.

Ms. Grosserode
- ALEC may provide you with "educational" information on
how smart ALEC members are
and how dumb the electorate is
- but believe me 
- NO ONE BUYS OUR VOTE!

ALEC Legislators LOVE Romney

Straight from the mouth of an ALEC "policy advisor" at the ALEC States and Nation in Scottsdale.

This is a read that makes you gag.

Here, at the American Legislative Exchange Council (where I’m a policy advisor) holds its “States and Nation Policy Summit” at a resort in the Phoenix’s super-suburb of Scottsdale, Romney’s name is on everybody’s lips. And this means a lot.

Yeah - it means a hell of a lot since you consider that
1.Newt Gingrich:

ü      Confirmed ALEC Alumni

ü      Was one of the people who worked on the ALEC's 1983-84 Source Book of American State Legislation

ü      Keynote Speaker ALEC's 1994 National Orientation Conference.

ü      Keynote speaker ALEC’s 2007 34th Annual Meeting

ü      Keynote speaker ALEC’s 2008 States & Nation Policy Summit,

ü      Keynote speaker ALEC’s 2009 States & Nation Policy Summit,

ü      Keynote speaker ALEC’s 2009 36th Annual Meeting

ü      Winner of the 1995 Thomas Jefferson Freedom Award

ü      Quoted in the legacy membership brochure ($5,000)

“The remarkable achievements of ALEC’s members... deserve much applause and recognition. Since 1973, ALEC members have been key leaders in state government, responsible for pioneering legislation inspired by the legacy of our honored Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson. For a quarter of a century, through advancing Jefferson’s ideas, you have been stalwart in your effort to revitalize the original American dream as intended by our Founders. ALEC members have helped reinforce my continuing optimism for the future of our great nation. ~ Newt Gingrich

And you consider that
Newt - is polling at the top of the Republican candidates
           while ALEC legislators are meeting in Scottsdale.

Wonder what Newt did to piss off the ALEC members? 
Evidently he's not in their good graces anymore?

DESTROYING ALEC - What Are We Missing?

This morning as hundreds (hopefully thousand) of citizen activists pack their suitcases, arrange for a day off, arrange for childcare, etc. so they can go to Phoenix to RESIST ALEC on November 30^th, I woke up this morning with these questions.

What don’t we know yet?

Why has ALEC been allowed to grow and prosper?
Why has ALEC been allowed to take over our government at the state and federal levels?

The American Legislative Exchange council (ALEC) was first exposed in a huge way in 2002 by citizen journalists and nothing happened.

Why did the Democrats in our country do nothing about ALEC at the state and federal level?

Why did the Independents in our country do nothing about ALEC at the state and federal level?

Why did the Green Party in our country do nothing about ALEC at the state and federal level?

Why have the Jesse Jackson’s and Al Sharpton’s in our country done nothing about ALEC at the state and federal level?

Why have state Attorneys Generals done nothing about ALEC at the state level?

Why did bi-partisan committees at the state level allow for passage of resolutions that let ALEC be considered as a charity to provide educational scholarships?

Why did partisan committees at the state level allow for the passage of resolutions that allow ALEC meeting to be considered “caucuses” and thus are closed to the public?

Why has the IRA not questioned the nonprofit status of ALEC when it is clear that ALEC is involved in political activities?

As we pack our bags to head to Phoenix to RESIST ALEC – we have to consider this.

We have the ALEC member names (for the most part) – we have the ALEC “model legislation” (for the most part) – but we are missing something, something really big,  that has allowed ALEC to grow and prosper and govern and take over states likes Ohio, Wisconsin, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Minnesota – just to name a few.

What are we missing?

What do we still have to find?

Why is no one with “real” power pushing back against ALEC?

Why are our state leaders who are not ALEC members not pushing back against ALEC?

Why is our government and our legislators doing nothing about ALEC?

What are we missing?

What do we still have to find?

What information is still out there that we can find that will DESTROY ALEC forever in 2012?

For more information on ALEC –

Please read this or this or this

or this series of six articles.

This is what ALEC is About  - An Interview with Mark Pocan about the ALEC Annual Meeting.

And watch this news video  from North Carolina on how other ALEC "model legislation" is going to screw the citizens of North Carolina - legislation introduced by ALEC legislators.

Do your own act of education!
Send the links shown above to friends and family and educate them about ALEC.

ALEC's AGENDA while in Phx/Scottsdale

In case anyone is interested.

Tuesday, Nov. 29

Joint Board of Directors Meeting

 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Board Reception/Dinner

 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

 

Wednesday, Nov. 30

Registration

 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Higher Education Subcommittee

 8 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Energy Subcommittee

 8 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.

Joint Working Group on 21st Century Commerce and Taxation

 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Taxation Grab and Go

 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

State Chairs Meeting

 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Exhibit Hall

 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee

 9 a.m.  - 10:15 a.m.

K-12 Education Reform Subcommittee

 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Environmental Health Subcommittee

 9:10 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.

Fiscal Federalism Working Group

 9:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Workers’ Compensation Subcommittee

 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

New Legislator Orientation

 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Agriculture Subcommittee

 10:20 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Opening Plenary Lunch

 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Task Force Chairs Meeting

 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Workshop I: Common Core State Standards

 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Workshop II: Want To Grow Your States’ Economy? Exports are the Answer!

 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Workshop III: Cutting the Red Tape on Solar: Obstacles Present Opportunities

 3 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Workshop IV: Medicaid Managed Care: Ensuring Access and Patient Protections

 3 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Hospitality Suite

 9 p.m. - 11 p.m.

 

Thursday, Dec. 1

Registration

 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Plenary Breakfast

 8 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Exhibit Hall

 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Online Consumer Privacy Working Group

 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Workshop V: Pushing the Extremes of Tort Law: What You Can Do to Stop

Unreasonable Lawsuits

 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Workshop VI: Pension Reform Workshop: Successful Messages for Reform

 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Workshop VII: The True Cost of Corrections - 2012 Policy Solutions and Goals

 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Workshop VIII: Innovation in the Classroom: Rethinking School Design

 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Plenary Lunch

 12:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

What You Can Learn from Arizona’s Healthcare Reforms

 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Task Force Meetings

2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Civil Justice

• Commerce, Insurance & Economic Development

• Education

• Telecommunications & Information Technology

Public Pension Reform Working Group

 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Fiscal Policy Reform Working Group

 3:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

National Chairman’s Reception

by invitation only

 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Holiday Gala Reception*

 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Hospitality Suite

 9 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 2

Registration

 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Plenary Breakfast

 8 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Exhibit Hall

 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Workshop IX: Governing in the Era of Social Media

 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Workshop X: Restoring America’s Jobs & Economy: The Role of Environmental Policies

 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Workshop XI: Common Sense Toxicology: Lessons for the States

 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Workshop XII: Electrifying and Connecting America for the 21st Century: A View from the Public Utility Commissions

 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Closing Lunch

 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Task Force Meetings

2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

• Energy, Environment & Agriculture

• Health and Human Services

• International Relations

• Public Safety and Elections

• Tax and Fiscal Policy

Annual Meeting 2012 Preview Reception

 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

State Delegation Night

 6:30 p.m.

ALEC's Rich States Poor States Report is IRRESPONSIBLE!

Awhile back - I put out a request for someone to debunk the American Legislative Exchange council report "Rich States Poor States".

Tonight while I was surfing I found this on the Progressive States Network webpage- which I copy in it's entirety because it is very important.  (That is my red bolding in the article.)

Questions Raised About Corporate Front Group's State Economic Rankings

Fine Print Shows ALEC Uses "Corporate Wish List" to Rate States, Ignoring Middle Class

New York, NY - Today, as the controversial American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) releases their annual rankings of outlooks for all 50 state economies, questions are being raised about the criteria used by the shadowy group. A new examination of the criteria used in past "Rich States, Poor States" reports published by ALEC in partnership with the infamous supply-side economist Arthur Laffer reveals rankings that are based on adherence to the policy wishes of huge corporations and that disregard the middle class entirely.

"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," said Ann Pratt, Executive Director of Progressive States Network. "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, the publisher of "Rich States, Poor States," is a controversial organization reported to be a venue for allowing corporations to write and pass state legislation that benefits their own bottom lines. In October 2010, reports emerged that ALEC and the Corrections Corporation of America were intimately involved in the writing and passage of Arizona's SB1070 to increase detention rates and benefit the private prison industry.

According to last year’s ALEC-Laffer rankings, the group uses the following criteria to rank a particular states' economic outlook. 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.

Why is it so important???

Because everytime, EVERYTIME you see the Rich States Poor States report quoted in a newspaper article - you have got to comment against it.  Please cut and paste and use and reuse the information from Progressive States Network.

Right now - if you Google ALEC - you will find that most of the entries are about state rankings - as given to the states by the ALEC Rich States Poor States report.  The Rich States Poor States report is the ONLY thing ALEC has going for it right now - let's cut is to shreds in the media.

HERE IS YOUR AMMUNITION to cut those newspaper articles and editorials apart - PLEASE USE IT regularly and often.

When it comes to ALEC - it is always what is best for the corporations and not what is best for the citizens of a state.

In Addition
I would recommend that you read this article about ALEC's ATTACK ON THE MIDDLE CLASS

Link to it here:   Spotlight Shines on ALEC's Anti-Middles Class Agenda

ALEC members and those affiliated with ALEC in any manner

MUST NOT BE RE-ELECTED.

Without state and federal legislators ALEC will cease to exist and it will implode.

For more information on ALEC –

Please read this or this or this

or this series of six articles.

This is what ALEC is About  - An Interview with Mark Pocan about the ALEC Annual Meeting.

And watch this news video  from North Carolina on how other ALEC "model legislation" is going to screw the citizens of North Carolina - legislation introduced by ALEC legislators.

Do your own act of education!
Send the links shown above to friends and family and educate them about ALEC.

AZ ALEC ALUMNI - John Kyl Wants to Be VP

From wiki:

Kyl is a staunch conservative, ranked by National Journal in 2007 as the fourth-most conservative U.S. Senator.[4] He has been a fixture of Republican policy leadership posts, chairing the Republican Policy Committee (2003–2007) and the Republican Conference (2007). In December 2007 he became Senate Minority Whip. In February 2011, Kyl announced that he would not seek reelection to the Senate at the end of his third term, which concludes January 3, 2013. He expressly ruled out running for further office except, if offered, the Vice-Presidency.[5][6]

I think this is worth noting at this time - as the Republicans might need to carry Arizona at some time in the future.

Isn't it odd - how wherever you look the Republican Presidential and Vice Presidential hopefuls are all affiliated with ALEC in some way. 

Looks like the American Legislative Exchange Council and the Koch brothers have a bigger goal - the White House.

ALEC members and those affiliated with ALEC in any manner

MUST NOT BE RE-ELECTED.

Without state and federal legislators ALEC will cease to exist and it will implode.

For more information on ALEC –

Please read this or this or this

or this series of six articles.

This is what ALEC is About  - An Interview with Mark Pocan about the ALEC Annual Meeting.

And watch this news video  from North Carolina on how other ALEC "model legislation" is going to screw the citizens of North Carolina - legislation introduced by ALEC legislators.

Do your own act of education!
Send the links shown above to friends and family and educate them about ALEC.