ALEC claims it is “the largest ‘membership association of state legislators’”, but it is actually funded by some of the most powerful corporations in the world. ALEC influences policy by having legislators as members who receive benefits, such as pensions, and salaries from ALEC. A legislator’s fee to be a member may be as little as $50 a year, whereas Corporations pay far greater fees to join ALEC. ALEC raised $21,615,465 in the 3 years prior to 2011. ALEC’s official page states their purpose as: “The American Legislative Exchange Council works to advance the fundamental principles of free-market enterprise, limited government, and federalism at the state level through a nonpartisan public-private partnership of America’s state legislators, members of the private sector and the general public.” alec.org/about-alec/ ALEC also claims that it “provides the private sector with an unparalleled opportunity to have its voice heard, and its perspective appreciated, by the legislature members”. This should be interpreted that through its partnership it influences laws. alec.org/membership/private-sector-membership/ You might even recognize some of the legislators listed on their website as serving on the board of directors. John Piscopo, a Senior Republican from Connecticut’s state legislature is listed as the National Chair for ALEC. Republican Iowa state legislator, Linda Upmeyer is listed as the First Vice Chair. Republican Phil King from Texas is the Second Vice Chair. King is a major player in the Gerrymandering scheme in Texas which helps assure Republican monopolies on legislature seats through redistricting. house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=61 Also listed among their “scholar” members you can find, Stephen Moore, who works on the GOP propaganda machine the Heritage Foundation. You can check out the full list of directors at: alec.org/about-alec/board-of-directors/ Fidelity Investment Management is one major driving force behind ALEC. Fidelity was also the major investor in George W. Bush’s baseball teams the Pioneers & Rangers. info.tpj.org/docs/pioneers/pioneers_table.jsp sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Fidelity_Investments George W. Bush freely admitted he had close ties to ALEC. In a video he claimed his policies helped control spending. youtube/watch?v=UwAgjB1IEF0 The ALEC website states that the organization supports limited government spending and involvement. Bush also claims in his video that ALEC is in favor of limited government spending. Yet many of the corporate members of ALEC still receive energy subsidies, did receive banking subsidies and bailout money under the Economic Recovery Act that the GOP lays at the feet of President Obama whenever they mention out of control spending.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:07:45 +0000
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