I’m really not one for conspiracy theories; but I do like researching and connecting the dots .. . . .. Which is exactly what SANE Americans have to do these days to get truth.
We have become a SOUNDBITE nation. Truthfully, the only way to get and stay informed is to make a sound and conscious effort to take the time and read through a variety of references. So this is what 3 Chics is doing here. Please take the time and read the links, if you are genuinely interested in this topic.
It appears evident since Barack Obama became president, that more and more SHADOW groups are rearing their ugly heads. Is it any wonder how President Obama can accomplish what he has thus far, with not only the proliferation of these groups, but the blatant ways in which they have been given MEDIA attention which legitimizes them.
1. Tea Party
2. Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform
3. ALEC
4. Koch Brothers– Who by the way, are linked to 1-3
ALEC is a group that brings together state legislators and representatives of corporations to draft model bills that can then be introduced at the state level of government. An archive of ALEC documents was recently leaked to the Center for Media and Democracy.
The Nation has done a riveting expose’ on ALEC. Read about it here: ALEC Exposed
Also Bloomberg News has an article about ALEC here.
Noble E. Ellington, President of ALEC
NPR ran a story on ALEC this morning. Read about it here: Who’s Really Writing State’s Legislation?
Louisiana Rep. Noble E. Ellington is the President of ALEC. NPR did a piece on his response to the above segment. You can read about it here: National Chairman of ALEC Responds to Report
You can listen to the response here.
What are your thoughts on ALEC and the other shadow groups.
Do you think these groups are a detriment to our DEMOCRACY?
Why is America holding elections for us to vote, when we have select groups of individuals given unique powers to control a select populace of our politicians?
Are these groups evidence of America becoming a plutocracy?, corporatocracy?, oligarchy?
I think President Obama thinks Americans are smart enough to figure out what is going on, especially those of us who voted for him.
Billionaires” thank Minnesota state legislators for pushing the ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) agenda – putting the needs of the wealthy and the corporations before those of the common folk. State Senator Dan Hall asks them to leave when he is questioned about ALEC. WAMM (Women Against Military Madness) are the activists talking with the legislators. The rally in the rotunda was organized by Take Action Minnesota
who are your state ALEC members? Maybe you have Billionaires that can thank them.
find a list of who has been exposed so far.:
http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/ALEC_Exposed
what is ALEC ?
ALEC is not a lobby; it is not a front group. It is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, behind closed doors, corporations hand state legislators the changes to the law they desire that directly benefit their bottom line. Along with legislators, corporations have membership in ALEC. Corporations sit on all nine ALEC task forces and vote with legislators to approve “model” bills.
More than 98% of ALEC’s revenues come from sources other than legislative dues, such as corporations, corporate trade groups, and corporate foundations. Each corporate member pays an annual fee of between $7,000 and $25,000 a year, and if a corporation participates in any of the nine task forces, additional fees apply, from $2,500 to $10,000 each year. ALEC also receives direct grants from corporations, such as $1.4 million from ExxonMobil from 1998-2009.
Through the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council, global corporations and state politicians vote behind closed doors to try to rewrite state laws that govern your rights. These so-called “model bills” reach into almost every area of American life and often directly benefit huge corporations. Through ALEC, corporations have “a VOICE and a VOTE” on specific changes to the law that are then proposed in your state. DO YOU?
Hell yes, they are a detriment to our democracy! Just look at the damage they have done to AZ and other states. Their agenda is divide, scapegoat, marginalize, conquer and keep the money for the ricos (wealthy) They are insidious, evil and should be fought with every fiber of our being!