“Will Arizona Hold ALEC Accountable?” — In These Times

http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/12525/will_arizona_hold_alec_accountable/

excerpt:

“The GOP-dominated Arizona Legislature is something of a testing ground for ALEC model legislation–Arizona is, as Farley puts it, an ALEC “model state.” (See “ALEC’s Arizona Escort Service.”) House Speaker Andy Tobin is a longstanding ALEC member, as is House Majority Leader Steve Court. ALEC’s Arizona public-sector chair is House Majority Whip Debbie Lesko.

Records obtained by In These Times from the office of Rep. Lesko show that from December 31, 2009 through January 4, 2011, more than 30 ALEC private-sector members contributed a total of $98,040 to ALEC’s “scholarship fund.” During this period, all but $469 was distributed to 43 Arizona ALEC member lawmakers (and one legislative assistant) for the purpose of lawmaker travel to plush resorts.

To cite just one example of the friendly relationships between ALEC-connected lobbyists and state lawmakers: On January 26, 2011, ALEC Private Sector Chair and Salt River Project (SRP, an Arizona utility provider) top lobbyist Russell Smoldon chauffeured ALEC member lawmakers to an ALEC dinner in Santa Fe after the lawmakers had been whisked from Phoenix to New Mexico in an SRP-owned plane.”

These private prison corporations “controlling” legislators should raise serious questions of conflicts of interest. Which of these legislators are questioning the mass industrial prison complex of Arizona and those who benefit from its growth? CCA (Corrections Corporation of America), advisor to the Governor, Chuck Coughlin, High Ground lobbyists — driving Arizona policy — turning Arizona into a “prison state”. Three state regents on the board of CCA should concern ALL. GEO Corp. Florida based, MTC and more. It’s time to stop the “celling” of Arizona and America that ALEC is the force behind. This is a terrible business model for the people, families and communities as well as a brighter future for Arizona. What business or family wants to live in a “prison state”? ALL are at risk with the obvious out of control criminal justice system that for years has gone on far too long. Those who remain silent are complicit in the destruction taking place in Arizona. ALEC’s agenda favors incarceration over education and reform of outdated, draconian laws that “grow” the mass industrial prison complex.

Knowing that other high-information, democracy-loving members of the 99% and groups oppose ALEC is good enough for me! The US Constitution says We the People ~ NOT we the corporations.

Corporations are figuratively and literally making a killing under current circumstances, notably:

> ALEC’s domination of the political process (thank you Wall St. 1%; the NRA & Wal-Mart “Stand Your Ground” laws; the military-industrial corporate complex)

> The US Chamber of Commerce’s domination of the judicial process (qv Santa Clara County vs the Southern Pacific RR (1886) et al, up through Citizens United vs FEC (2010).

Government of, by, and for the corporations is fascism. How tragic that some people are fascism-loving.

AZ’s Constitution prohibits any money or anything of value being spent by any corporation on any political campaign. Period end of discussion.

I think it’s entirely reasonable that APS claims that its decision was not political; ALEC seems to have made it clear that its priorities are politically extreme and out-of-line with those of APS. Additionally, APS (as well as Coca-Cola, Wendy’s, and other public corporations which have recently withdrawn support from ALEC) may have found that its dollars weren’t as effective at ALEC as they might be in other lobbying groups.

APS took the Federal Money from Obama and is installing Smart Meters as fast as they can. The minions of Obama’s left don’t like ALEC because it opposes everything this current Washington Administration stands for and hope to achieve.

Look at the facts and look at who is behind this attack -