The United States of ALEC: Bill Moyers on the Secretive Corporate-Legislative Body Writing Our Laws
The United States of ALEC: Bill Moyers on the Secretive Corporate-Legislative Body Writing Our Laws
AMY GOODMAN: We begin our show today with a look at the secretive American Legislative Exchange Council. The organization, often known as just ALEC, brings together major corporations and state legislators to craft and vote on "model" bills behind closed doors. It’s come under increasing scrutiny for its role in promoting "stand your ground" gun laws, voter suppression bills, union-busting policies and other controversial legislation. The organization’s agenda has sparked so much controversy that 40 major U.S. companies, including Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, Kraft and General Motors, have recently severed ties with ALEC.
ALEC is the focus of a new documentary by the legendary journalist Bill Moyers titled The United States of ALEC. It will air this weekend on Moyers & Company but is premiering today here on Democracy Now!
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/9/27/the_united_states_of_alec_bill
Meet ALEC's Canadian cousin, the CCCE.
As always, we have our alternate version of ALEC here in Canada.
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Most Canadians are unaware of the degree to which private economic power marginalizes the influence of working people and their elected representatives.Before turning to recent examples of the CCCE’s role in crafting legislation and policy for passage by a neutered parliament, I will offer these comments on lobbying from the aforementioned Ross Laver:
[Laver] said the council rarely does much “lobbying” in its meetings with political leaders, “I think it would be naïve to think that there’s anything to be gained by getting into a room with the prime minister and twisting his arm, regardless of who that prime minister is. (Ottawa Citizen, Oct. 25, 2011. A2.)
I can’t imagine why lobbyists would bother to meet politicians, if not to influence them and I object more to the behaviour of our elected officials than the profit-driven actions of corporate lobbyists whose job it is to seek their own advantage. In fact, the CCCE is the Canadian grand champion of lobbying,
Overall, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives reported the most meetings with cabinet ministers in 2009. Spokesman Ross Laver said the council was diligent about reporting contacts with public office holders, even when the meeting was a government official attending a larger event hosted by the council. (Ibid. Oct.10, 2010. A2)
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/23/997079/-Meet-ALEC-s-Canadian-cousin-the-CCCE