ALEC Privatization = Educational Apartheid

Wow!

A piece on Democracy Now took me someplace this morning that I had no intention of going – but I must.

Amy Goodman was interviewing two influential people in the student uprisings in Chile - a movement that doesn’t get any press in the United States and without her report I would not have moved to the next level of my research.

The Chilean educational system is run on an ALEC model – privatized.  Chile is/was run totally and completely for decades on an ALEC free market privatization model – fascism – and authoritarianism.  More on that later.

But the snips that I am about to introduce is way too familiar in today’s USA and because of it – very scary.

The snips below are everyday life for Chileans.  This is not some hypothetical crap being spewed by ALEC legislators - it is the example of destruction of a country caused by free market thinking.

We have to use the experience and knowledge gained from the Chilean free market experiment to stop the free market experiment from advancing in the US.

 

A few snips from the short Democracy Now interview (my emphasis):

And all of this is obviously because something is not working with this extremely privatized educational system.

NOAM TITELMAN:  …  very special educational system, which was imposed during the 1980s during the Pinochet dictatorship, which has one basic principle, and it’s that the market always works. And we found out that, obviously, it’s not that way always. And what we’ve seen is that, for example, while our public education is dying, we have only 36 percent of students going to public schools. Here in the States, it’s almost 90 percent. It’s really a very special example of how privatized can a state become. And all of this started accumulating a lot of problems, a lot of inequalities.

CAMILA VALLEJO: [translated] And that these circumstances would end in the privatization of basic rights and of basic goods, and that families would have to become indebted to procure these basic things, and that’s what led, really, in Chile to these massive protests.

 

And another person from the US was there during the student protest and made these comments in an entry online (my emphasis).

Chile is a heaven for multinationals seeking to invest in a country where the government doesn’t intervene in their affairs. It doesn’t matter whether they are from mining, forestry, fishery, agriculture or any other industry; multinationals manage the entire Chilean economy to their desire. And because the government has zero involvement, this has major consequences in the country’s social welfare. Chileans live at the mercy of the free market! Thus health care, housing or education have little to no support from the state.

The ALEC model

I soon realized I was witnessing a major social and political upheaval against the current economic system in Chile.   …  : it was time to end an educational system based on profits. This demand was leading them to question the entire economic model — one based on the neoliberal philosophy of free market approach to everything

Chile is the only country in the entire world that has left education up to the market. The current educational system is Pinochet’s legacy. He imposed a system in which schools and universities are driven profits; he ended of the involvement of the state on the education system. Each municipality is charged with running its schools now. This system created educational apartheid among Chileans.

Any change in the Chilean constitution means a change in how the free market controls the lives of millions of Chileans who have no say about anything. It means rethinking how the state should be involved in protecting basic human needs.

Educational apartheid

36% of Chiliean students going to public schools

Privatization of basic rights

“families would have to become indebted to procure these basic things,”

Well  …

That made me want to find out more!

A little about Pinochet/Fascism/Free-Market Chile

He, and "the Chicago Boys" -- a group of free- market economists -- thought what had restricted Chile's growth was government intervention in the economy -- which reduced competition, artificially increased wages, and led to inflation.

Sound familiar?

Chile used the free-market model espoused by the American Legislative Exchange Council and it has been disastrous on their citizenry (kinda, the rich came out okay)!

The results?

In other words, after nearly 15 years of free market capitalism, real wages had still not exceeded their 1970 levels.

Thus the wealth created by the relatively high economic growth Chile experienced in the mid to late 1980s did not "trickle down" to the working class (as claimed would happen by "free market" capitalist dogma) but instead accumulated in the hands of the rich.

Per capita health care spending was more than halved from 1973 to 1985, setting off explosive growth in poverty-related diseases such as typhoid, diabetes and viral hepatitis.

The experiment with free market capitalism also had serious impacts for Chile's environment. The capital city of Santiago became one of "the most polluted cities in the world" due the free reign of market forces. [Nathanial Nash, cited by Noam Chomsky, Year 501, p. 190] With no environmental regulation there is general environmental ruin and water supplies have severe pollution problems.

So, for all but the tiny elite at the top, the Pinochet regime of "economic liberty" was a nightmare. Economic "liberty" only seemed to benefit one group in society, an obvious "miracle." For the vast majority, the "miracle" of economic "liberty" resulted, as it usually does, in increased poverty, pollution, crime and social alienation. The irony is that many right-wing "libertarians" point to it as a model of the benefits of the free market.

FreeMarkets

Fascism

The Chilean model of overall free-market economy is CHILLING!

The Chilean model of overall free-market economy PROVES what we are sensing – that it is rigged for the 1% and screws the 99%.

We must look more closely at the free market history of Chile – cause based on what I’ve read so far – it does not work and it has been proven it does not work – and we have to make sure that it is not implemented in the USA.

  …  left to themselves, people will inevitably tend to pursue their interests through collective action - in trade unions, tenants' associations, community organisations and local government. Only the pretty ruthless exercise of central power can defeat these tendencies: hence the common association between individualism and authoritarianism, well exemplified in the fact that the countries held up as models by the free-marketers are, without exception, authoritarian regimes." ["The Continuing Relevance of Socialism", in Thatcherism, edited Robert Skidelsky, p. 146]

Chile is revolting - actively, not literally!

They are setting the example for the US.

The Chilean activists are showing us what our future could be if we do not take action.

We must take notice.

We have to stop the USA free-market slide into hell, before it gets any stronger.

The main way to do that is to GET RID OF ALEC!

We MUST

Make sure

That ALL ALEC members

ARE NOT

Elected or re-elected

At the state and federal level.

Mary Franson (MN) - Is She ALEC??

When you see this expense notation from her campaign reports:

And you pair it with the information on this from ALEC:

Was she on her way to the DC ALEC meeting?

What other reason would she be going to DC on that date for?

Why did she go to Washington DC?

Was Mary Franson going to a meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council?

Taxpayers paid for her stay at the Holiday Inn with campaign subsidies.

The people in her district really have the right to ask.

The people in her district really need to know!

Inquiring minds want to know.



Brodkorb - Says NO to MN Gay Marriage Amendment

A little more drama today in Minnesota.

Published October 13, 2012, 12:00 AM

Reader's View: Constitutional amendments pushed by Republicans

By: John C. Green, Duluth News Tribune

It’s time that both constitutional-amendment issues on the ballot this election in Minnesota were “outed” for what they are: Republican ploys to generate votes from its conservative base.

He is referring to both of the RWNJ amendments that are on the ballot in Minnesota this year.

That was published 3 days ago.

Give that man a cigar!

Why??

Last night our local right wing mainstream media affiliate – WCCO – released an interview with the past state Republican Communications Director that stated:

SNIPS (my emphasis)

But Brodkorb — once a powerful Republican insider — says a big reason it’s on the ballot isn’t family values. Top Republicans needed a way to get conservatives off the couch and into the voting booth.

Brodkorb’s voting no on the gay marriage amendment, even though he helped develop the strategy that put it on the ballot.

“It provided a turnout opportunity for Republicans,” he said.

Brodkorb was former Deputy Chairman of the State Republican Party and top Senate staffer, and says GOP Senators knew a driving force behind the gay marriage amendment wasn’t morality. It was political reality.

OOPS!

Lesson learned:  Don’t piss off your employees – they may come back to bite you in the butt.

Mn Voter ID - Former US Secty of Ag - Wouldn't be Able to Vote

Minnesota will have an amendment on the ballot in November that would put in to effect an UNFUNDED vague ALEC Voter ID restriction for Minnesotans.

The Uptake – which is an excellent news source for Minnesota and Wisconsin (and around the larger area) posts bits of news that the main stream media does not cover – but is an extremely important webpage.

First you need to know this (from Wiki):
Orville Lothrop Freeman (May 9, 1918 – February 20, 2003) was an American Democratic politician who served as the 29th Governor of Minnesota from January 5, 1955 to January 2, 1961, and as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1961 to 1969 under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

On the Uptake webpage  I found this piece (my emphasis):

“Deceitful” Says Former MN 1st Lady Of Voter Restriction Amendment

Former First Lady of Minnesota Jane Freeman remembers the last time her husband voted: when Walter Mondale ran for the late Paul Wellstone’s seat in 2002. Former Governor Orville Freeman was living in a senior facility that allowed him to vote with no ID.

If Orville Freeman lived to vote under Minnesota’s proposed voter restriction constitutional amendment, he would have to vote provisionally says Jane Freeman. That’s because he moved from one apartment to another by the time voting began. Unless he could prove who he was, his provisional ballot would not be counted.

Watch it  >>>HERE<<< 

And we all know that the "provisional" ballots get thrown in the garbage and are not even looked at unless there is a sanctioned recount.  A provisional vote doesn't get counted.
So a provisional ballot ends up being nothing - a vote that is not really a vote.

So  ---   a provisional ballot lets you vote - but it does not count for anything.  A provisional ballot is like going downtown Minneapolis to a Viking game and buying a bogus ticket on a street corner.  Yes, you have a Vikings ticket - but it is worthless.

Republican Forum on Voter ID
Not all High Profile REpublicans in Minnesota support the Voter ID restrictions.

In addition to this snip with accompanying video, the Uptake has a forum on the Voter ID that is a little over an hour long that is fantastic – to see Republicans at the same table, arguing the Voter ID  is an interesting phenomena.  

Watch it  >>>HERE<<<

What are the consequences of Voter ID?

October 16, 2012 By Joe Sheeran, Communications Director

Considering the Secretary of State’s estimate that more than 200,000 registered voters currently lack valid identification for voter ID, the amendment will erect serious voting barriers for some seniors, college students and rural residents. It would also end same day registration as we know it and could unnecessarily complicate absentee voting, which includes military members. Voter ID would cost the state and local governments anywhere from $8 million to $23 million. All of this to solve a non-existent problem.

And the sad part is they are guessing the cost

to Minnesota cities and counties

to be closer to $50 - $100 million

to implement this UNFUNDED vague ALEC Voter ID restriction.

More costs dumped on cash strapped cities and counties

by Minnesota Republican (and ALEC) legislators,

leading to higher property taxes for everyone.

Higher property taxes for all
Democrats or Republicans and Independents
for a nonexistent problem.

Koch - The Courage to Force Others to Vote for Rmoney

There has been a lot of press about the InTheseTimes article about the Koch brothers using their influence and power to strong arm their employees to vote for RMoney – to goosestep to the polls and raise their arm and yell – "Heil Koch" - as they pull the lever/push the button to destroy the USA.

Why - because Mitt-Wit can't win on his own. 
Why - cause Lyng Ryan can't win on his own.
Absolutely nothing between the two of them - so they have to steal the election anyway that they can.

If you missed the article – you can read it  >>>HERE<<<

This piece of "news" didn’t surprise me.

In 2010 Koch Industries did the same thing – the only difference then was – we weren’t really watching then.  In 2010 the state of Texas required Koch Industries to register as a “campaign” – which they did so they could strong arm their employees.  

A campaign that included expenses such as:

Mailing home addresses of company employees

Printing of state sheets listing supported candidates.

You can see the proof of the 2010 Koch voting Texas massacre  >>>HERE<<< and >>>HERE<<<.

Most people don’t follow links – so I doubt anyone will look at the Texas documents – just like I doubt that they looked at another link that was in the story that was published InTheseTimes.

About a quarter of the way down the InTheseTimes article you will find a link that will bring you to another pontification by King Charles Koch.

Here he chastises the PUBLIC companies which chose to leave ALEC.
Here's a snip of his three page monologue - for your revulsion.

The Value of Courage

by Charles G. Koch - 10/1/2012

 10/2/2012

  

One of my greatest frustrations in recent years stems from the lack of courage shown by many businesses.

Rather than set a good example and stand on principle, far too many successful companies have decided to cave when faced with criticism from the media or the government – even when those businesses have done nothing wrong.

For example, last March, left-wing publications and a cable “news” channel began spreading  malicious  lies about the American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC is a leading free-market association of state legislators with thousands of members and supporters, including Koch Industries.

The bogus charges against ALEC were quickly echoed by various media outlets, bloggers, a labor leader and other activists, none of whom seemed fully aware of the facts.

As a result of this ginned-up outcry, a few high-profile corporate members of ALEC either cancelled their memberships or announced they would let them expire.

It didn’t seem to matter that the accusations were patently false, or that facts had been distorted and the truth inverted. Several corporations couldn’t throw in the towel fast enough.

Such lack of courage has become symptomatic of large public companies.

Lat March - huh?  It's been going on longer than that.  It was a year ago March that ALEC identified this blog to their states chairs as a "radical Opponent" because I was naming ALEC members.

Evidently the Kochs are getting concerned about the millions and millions and millions invested in ALEC possibly not being a good investment that the American Legislative Exchange Council  promised the Kochs.

"With our success rate at more than 20 percent,

I would say that ALEC is a good investment. 

Nowhere else can you get a return that high."

Malicious lies about ALEC – REALLY????

Well if they are lies – why in the hell isn’t ALEC taking front stage and rebutting them – rather than hiding in the dark corners like the Kochroaches they are.

“The bogus charges echoed”  …  by those  ..  “none who seemed fully aware of the facts.”

REALLY???

Because we have to be careful about a$$holes like the Koch brothers breathing down our necks and sending gestapo private eye goons to snoop into the lives of people who dare write about them – WE HAVE TO DEAL IN FACTS.

"Such lack of courage has become symptomatic of large public companies."

You REALLY have to wonder what he means by that.

I suppose he means that “Privately held companies” like his are SOOOOOOOOOOO much better than those lowly companies that have the scum of the earth – who are investors.  God forbid he and his brother should waste their time with PUBLIC companies.

God forbid he and his brother should get their hands dirty with anything PUBLIC.
Disdain for anything PUBLIC.
Public schools, public health, public commons, public employees, ...  the public, in general.

The Koch's and their utlra rich buddies - threatening to throw their employees out in the street - if Obama is elected.  What does it matter to them what happens to the PUBLIC.  So what if someone dies because they lost their company health insurance.  So what if someone dies because they can't get their medicine because they lost their company insurance.  So what if the PUBLIC dies.  So what!!!

He goes on for another page and a half about his courage.  Wonder how courageous he would be if he was making $7.50 an hour living in a one bedroom apartment with four other people, infested with Kochroaches.

What a jacka$$.

A$$holes – both of them.

I just bent over and took the position - so both of them can ki$$ my a$$.