FREE SPEECH ZONE | Ode to ALEC

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The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a national network of state politicians and corporations, has existed for more than forty years with its original purpose to increase corporate profit.  Comprised of 99% Republicans and 1% Democrats, as well as hundreds of corporations, ALEC has come under increased scrutiny due to its controversial “model” bills that include “Stand Your Ground” gun laws, anti-worker legislation, and voter suppression.   Free Speech ZoneThe Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. This is an open forum for articles that otherwise might not find a place for publication, including news articles, opinion columns, announcements and even a few press releases. The opinions expressed in the Free Speech Zone and Neighborhood Notes, as well as the opinions of bloggers, are their own and not necessarily the opinion of the TC Daily Planet.On November 6, Minnesotans will vote on a voter restriction amendment that requires photo ID.  In light of that proposed amendment, I would like to poetically unveil the shroud of secrecy that ALEC has enjoyed until recently.  Ode to ALECRepublican led and corporate fedALEC-inspired bills are bredState-by-state they’re widely spreadAnd the American public is greatly misled With tax-exempt status and money galoreCorporate lobbyists yell for moreHundreds of bills leave ALEC doorsLanding on dozens of legislative floors Once ALEC’s existence was largely unknownIts secretive cover has recently been blown“Stand your Ground” gun laws have resoundingly shownALEC’s efforts beyond the corporate tax zone Once limited to corporate loopholes and tax reformALEC’s focus expanded wanting states to conformTo a right-wing agenda that meets certain normsSo scores of corporations defected shunning the Koch brothers’ platform ALEC’s accusations of rampant voter fraudHave captured our attention and are seriously flawedResearch shows this fraud doesn’t exist and so this façadeShould cease to exist as well as its Fraud Squad ALEC members of our state clamor for voter protectionAnd a constitutional amendment that makes no exceptionsCiting a need for photo identificationDisenfranchising thousands and creating voter suppression On photo ID voters shouldn’t be misledOnce learning the facts they will insteadVote No to an amendment that is ALEC-ledProtecting voters’ rights now and in years ahead Continue Reading