-- Worker and Consumer Rights bills (plus Trade, Pensions, Privatization, Banking, Housing, Property Insurance, Transportation, Telecomm & IT).

-- Tort Reform and Injured Americans bills.

-- Privatizing Schools and Higher Education bills.

-- Health, Big Pharma, and Social Welfare bills.

-- Environment, Energy, and Agriculture bills. For more details click here.

-- Democracy, Voting, and Federal Relations bills.

-- Tax & Budget bills.

-- Guns, Prisons, Crime and Immigration bills.

ALEC Exposed: Source for zip files of ALEC Legislation

Based on this information The Nation has published a series of articles on ALEC--

Founded in 1973 by Paul Weyrich and other conservative activists frustrated by recent electoral setbacks, ALEC is a critical arm of the right-wing network of policy shops that, with infusions of corporate cash, has evolved to shape American politics. Inspired by Milton Friedman’s call for conservatives to “develop alternatives to existing policies [and] keep them alive and available,” ALEC’s model legislation reflects long-term goals: downsizing government, removing regulations on corporations and making it harder to hold the economically and politically powerful to account. Corporate donors retain veto power over the language, which is developed by the secretive task forces. The task forces cover issues from education to health policy. ALEC’s priorities for the 2011 session included bills to privatize education, break unions, deregulate major industries, pass voter ID laws and more. In states across the country they succeeded, with stacks of new laws signed by GOP governors like Ohio’s John Kasich and Wisconsin’s Scott Walker, both ALEC alums.

The details of ALEC’s model bills have been available only to the group’s 2,000 legislative and 300 corporate members. [...] The Nation has obtained more than 800 documents representing decades of model legislation. Teaming up with the Center for Media and Democracy, The Nation asked policy experts to analyze this never-before-seen archive.

The articles that follow are the first products of that examination. They provide an inside view of the priorities of ALEC’s corporate board and billionaire benefactors (including Tea Party funders Charles and David Koch). “Dozens of corporations are investing millions of dollars a year to write business-friendly legislation that is being made into law in statehouses coast to coast, with no regard for the public interest,” says Bob Edgar of Common Cause. “This is proof positive of the depth and scope of the corporate reach into our democratic processes.” The full archive of ALEC documents is available at a new website, alecexposed.org, thanks to the Center for Media and Democracy, which has provided powerful tools for progressives to turn this knowledge into power. The data tell us that the time has come to refocus on the battle to loosen the grip of corporate America and renew democracy in the states.

Business Domination Inc. NATION SUBSCRIBER ONLY by Joel Rogers and Laura Dresser

Sabotaging Healthcare by Wendell Potter

The Koch Connection by Lisa Graves

Starving Public Schools NATION SUBSCRIBER ONLY by Julie Underwood

Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

-Lena

The campaign could be considered a conspiracy to promote special interests over the voting public, the citizens served by local, State and Federal governments.

Now ALEC can be aided by the Citizens United decision.

Not a "duh". The campaign could be considered a conspiracy to promote special interests over the voting public, the citizens served by local, State and Federal governments.

As if the integrity-challenged would have a problem with this.

To be honest, it is overwhelming. Through our elected officials corporate interests have taken control of our jobs, schools, healthcare, environment, prison system, immigration, voting, etc. etc.

Corporate interests direct the media message and send their astroturf trolls out to control the conversation.

And as layer after layer gets peeled back there is a danger of outrage overload.

But what are our possible responses?

"You take the blue pill -- the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill -- you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes." -Morpheus in The Matrix

- Lena, your Red pill pusher

I've long been a supporter of non-commercial media, and ALEC shows exactly why an independent media is essential to a democratic society.

ALEC, the Murdoch empire, Citizens United - all anathemas to democracy.

Just as the Bush White House lied and led the country into an occupation in Iraq, now we have related groups whose lies will damage U.S. consumers workers - and the planet through denial of climate change.

The leader in the charge is Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, a TV channel with an audience of 100 million in which all news and comment have to be shoehorned -- subtly in its news operation and overtly in its commentary -- into a conservative worldview. It operates, as the former White House communications director Anita Dunn has said, "as either the research or communications arm of the Republican party". Leading Republican stars such as Mike Huckabee or Sarah Palin are on its payroll. Its political shows pull no punches: the hosts are hard-line Republicans.

I think we are in the Land of the Lotus-Eaters. As long as we are moderately comfortable, keep our heads down, and our noses to the grindstone, we are thankful that we can just get along without disturbing the status quo. There's very little passion to rock the boat and the media has a firm grip on letting us know what we should believe in. There are very few alternatives that have the power to affect the mainstream.

As you can see I am very cynical that things will improve soon.

The bragging and gloating here, back in November 2010 was a sure sign of the mess to come.

Another success repealing the damage done is underway: Russell Pearce faces recall in Arizona.

They woke the wrong people.

People are taking their country back allover the US, Wisconsinites, Arizonians, Ohioans you name 'em and where are the braggers and gloaters now?

Silencer thread. Told ya so.

But that one lady I heard of who didn't say thank you for a dollar for a prescription... that is on thread II about those Entitled Good-for-nothing People Who Are Not Like Me.

I hate John Kasich. He had the nerve to say Ohio was dying. Maybe in his mind. Not in most Ohioan's.

Much more fun beating up on the poor.

I've alluded to this for a while, now... it's apparent in so many areas of life. However, I do think there are pockets of intelligent persons, common sense intact, that simply aren't very publicly vocal, and don't interact with the lemming sect. And I also think that a lot is blown up and out by a media on a mission.

I'm a little cynical and skeptical, myself...

U.S. House Passes ALEC-Inspired TRAIN Act

On September 23, the House of Representatives passed the American Legislative Exchange Council-inspired "Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation (TRAIN) Act" and forwarded it to the Senate.

On September 8, the Center for Media and Democracy reported on House Majority Leader and ALEC alumnus Eric Cantor pushing ALEC's federal agenda vis-a-vis the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On September 13, we reported on the heavy funding of ALEC alumni like Cantor and Speaker of the House John Boehner by corporate members of ALEC.

The TRAIN Act, introduced by ALEC alumnus Rep. John Sullivan (R-OK), "would create a special committee to oversee the EPA's rules and regulations, and require the agency to consider economic impacts on polluters when it sets standards concerning how much air pollution is too much."

Not only does this act conform to ALEC's "Resolution Opposing EPA's Regulatory Train Wreck" and the accompanying report, "EPA's Regulatory Train Wreck," but another piece of ALEC "model" legislation, the "Environmental Priorities Act," would create for the states the same sort of assessment committee that the TRAIN Act would create at the federal level.

Indeed, ALEC published a press release that "applauds the passage of H.R. 2401, the. . . TRAIN Act. . . . As unemployment still hovers around 9 percent, it is imperative to fully assess the impact on the electricity prices, reliability and the overall American economy."

Multiple studies, including the Economic Policy Institute's (EPI) May study and the Political Economy Research Institute's (PERI) February study, have found that EPA regulations such as those halted by the TRAIN Act would provide long-term economic benefits and create "highly skilled, well paying jobs through infrastructure investment" (PERI, "New Jobs--Cleaner Air," p. 1).

I guess basically they are saying that if the regulations would make the industry have to PAY MORE to be in compliance, then the regulations should be not imposed.

This is ridiculous! Gut environmental concerns so that businesses can have more profit. If they can't do business without harming the environment then perhaps they don't need to be in business. Find another way to get it done, don't just go around regulations. How will we ever come up with new and better ideas if people are stretched to think of them? Left alone, businesses won't do the right thing most of the time when it comes to the environment.

It's funny... I've been called a conspiracy theorist for years, scoffed at for mentioning complicity and duplicity and secrecy... when all along, much of what I've been talking about has been happening under our noses, behind closed doors... and is now being pulled out from under the proverbial rug and shown for what it truly is.

How you like me now...

As a Texas Governor might say: "Oops!"

Occupy Everywhere !

Kate

Don't bother me. You can't teach me anything new. I already have my mind made up.

-Ron-

Simple as that.

I don't agree with the Dems on everything, but I feel it is essential that the Republicans be kept out of office amap until they straighten themselves out.

IMO the conspiracy is real, and has been going on for years, beginning about the time that the national Chamber of Commerce started advocating for foreign interests, which is what international corporations are.

If corporations want the protection of being in the USA, they need to actually be here and work to the benefit of their native country. I am not against helping other countries in recognizable, intended ways, but not to the detriment of our own workers and basic economy.

ALEC's Grip on Ohio's Legislature Puts Corporations Above People

New Report Documents Influence of American Legislative Exchange Council in Columbus

COLUMBUS, OH - A new report released today by People For the American Way Foundation, Common Cause, the Center for Media and Democracy and Progress Ohio reveals the deep ties between the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and Ohio's legislature. Through a side-by-side comparison of ALEC legislative models and actual Ohio bills, the report shows how Ohio's legislators are working in tandem with corporate leaders to deregulate key industries, privatize education and dismantle unions.

The report, ALEC in Ohio: The Corporate Special Interests that Help Write Ohio's Laws, is available here [PDF].

From ARIZONA:

How Scott Walker and ALEC Plotted the Attack on Arizona's Unions by John Nichols

Two days after Ohio voters overwhelmingly rejected Governor John Kasich's anti-labor agenda by a sixty-one to thirty-nine margin in a statewide referendum, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker jetted to Arizona to launch the next front in the national campaign to attack union rights.

After meeting with former Vice President Dan Quayle, Walker was whisked over to the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, where he briefed a thousand Arizona conservatives on how they could attack "the big-government union bosses."

"We need to make big, fundamental, permanent structural changes. It's why we did what we did in Wisconsin," declared Walker, who at the annual dinner of the right-wing Goldwater Institute said that compromising with unions was "bogus."

I can see the day that private insurance companies will come to own both the police and fire agencies. Insurance rates go up as the quality of response declines. Reminds me of, what? Healthcare for lower income people in this country?

Contrast that with places where the police union isn't strong or doesn't exist.

The visceral hatred of teachers, evident even here on HT, is scary.

Will be interesting to see how these people who voted for him vote this November. Like I said "never bite the hand that votes for you".

"Three of the four bills come right from this manual. Tort Reform Boot Camp, published by the American Legislative exchange council, or ALEC."

It is no coincidence that so many state legislatures have spent the last year taking the same destructive actions: making it harder for minorities and other groups that support Democrats to vote, obstructing health care reform, weakening environmental regulations and breaking the spines of public- and private-sector unions. All of these efforts are being backed -- in some cases, orchestrated -- by a little-known conservative organization financed by millions of corporate dollars.

About time ALEC got the attention they deserve.

While I realize that not everyone reads every thread, I do find it a little odd that the conservatives have no problem with this kind of influence. Of course since the influence is "in their favor", they don't mind. Just wait until the shoe is on the other foot. Remember how they thought that ACORN was influencing the voting registrations? This kind of thing is SO MUCH bigger than that.

If there were some way to tied ALEC to President Obama, then we would see unending outrage on the right.

I suspect that most any shenanigan will be tolerated if there's a promise to keep taxes low.

from today's NYT:

-snip-
-Encourage school districts to contract with private virtual-education companies. (One such company was the corporate co-chair of ALEC's education committee.) The bill was signed into law.

-Call for a federal constitutional amendment to permit the repeal of any federal law on a two-thirds vote of state legislatures. The bill failed.

-Legalize use of deadly force in defending one's home. Bills to this effect, which recently passed both houses, have been backed by the National Rifle Association, a longtime member of ALEC.

ALEC's influence in the Virginia statehouse is pervasive, the study showed. The House of Delegates speaker, William Howell, has been on the board since 2003 and was national chairman in 2009. He has sponsored or pushed many of the group's bills, including several benefiting specific companies that support ALEC financially, like one that would reduce a single company's asbestos liability. At least 115 other state legislators have ties to the group, including paying membership dues, attending meetings and sponsoring bills. The state has spent more than $230,000 sending lawmakers to ALEC conferences since 2001.

Similar efforts have gone on in many other states. The group has been particularly active in weakening environmental regulations and fighting the Environmental Protection Agency. ALEC's publication, "E.P.A.'s Regulatory Train Wreck," outlines steps lawmakers can take, including curtailing the power of state regulators.

There is nothing illegal or unethical about ALEC's work, except that it further demonstrates the pervasive influence of corporate money and right-wing groups on the state legislative process. There is no group with any comparable influence on the left. Lawmakers who eagerly do ALEC's bidding have much to answer for. Voters have a right to know whether the representatives they elect are actually writing the laws, or whether the job has been outsourced to big corporate interests."

And now, its legal to hide who pays for the elections

That's so old fashioned!

A serious question - is the Tea Party upset about ALEC's influence?

Legislature Will Hear ALEC Bills Today

HF 2033 "Equal Pay and Benefits Act" = ALEC Public Pay Equity Act

HF 2033 "Equal Pay and Benefits Act" = ALEC Public Employee Compensation Reporting Act

HF 2033 "Equal Pay and Benefits Act" = ALEC State Budget Reform Toolkit Recommendation

HF 1975 = ALEC State Budget Reform Toolkit Recommendation

HF 1860 = ALEC Charter Schools Act:

SF 1577 = ALEC Voter ID Act

SF 1614 = ALEC Regulatory Flexibility Act

I wonder if other states need to go through what we have and come out on the other side, or if they will be like the proverbial frog in the gently heating pot.

"The disgusting sneer says it all."

Hay

"Pressure is building on companies to cut ties with a group that has championed Florida's controversial "Stand Your Ground" law, now under scrutiny in the Trayvon Martin case.

"Last week, Coca-Cola and Kraft announced plans to pull out of the American Legislative Exchange Council, and activists hope that dozens of other companies, including Walmart and AT&T, will soon follow.

"...Coca-Cola (KO, Fortune 500) said in a statement that its involvement with ALEC "was focused on efforts to oppose discriminatory food and beverage taxes, not on issues that have no direct bearing on our business."

"We have a long-standing policy of only taking positions on issues that impact our company and industry," the company said."