ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council)

[Guest Wall Bird]

Today's episode of Democracy Now had an interesting story about ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council), an organization that facilitates collaboration between major corporations and state legislators and in which these corporate lobbyists are presenting legislation they have crafted in order for the state legislators to introduce to the house as their own creations.

 

Today's headline on Democracy Now consists of part of a small documentary by journalist Bill Moyers on ALEC.

 

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Part 2 of the video:

 

Democracy Now! premieres "The United States of ALEC," a special report by legendary journalist Bill Moyers on how the secretive American Legislative Exchange Council has helped corporate America propose and even draft legislation for states across the country. ALEC brings together major U.S. corporations and right-wing legislators to craft and vote on "model" bills behind closed doors. It has come under increasing scrutiny for its role in promoting "stand your ground" gun laws, voter suppression bills, union-busting policies and other controversial legislation. Although billing itself as a "nonpartisan public-private partnership," ALEC is actually a national network of state politicians and powerful corporations principally concerned with increasing corporate profits without public scrutiny. Moyers’ special will air this weekend on Moyers & Company, but first airs on Democracy Now! today. "The United States of ALEC" is a collaboration between Okapi Productions, LLC and the Schumann Media Center.

 

Here's a link to the transcript, if the video moves too slowly for you.

 

Has anyone heard of ALEC before? Apparently they've been around since the 80's.

[syd syside]

Looks interesting, thanks for posting.

[Salvatorin]

blegh!

[luke viia]

Had never heard of ALEC before, but it makes sense that such a thing exists. Frustrating stuff to think about...

[chassis]

"Warming up to climate change". Thats literal like "Warming up to cancer, it can be fun!".

[SR4]

I vaguely feel like I remember them being mentioned in tandem with conservative think-tanks when No Child Left Behind was being constructed.

[chassis]

This thread should be getting a bit more attention than it is. This is a little bit scary.

[lumpenprol]

people don't give it attention because they are so cynical they already assume the govt is completely corrupt and controlled by corporate interests. Problem is, they lapse into apathy and don't vote.