As if the irony of holding this year's national convention in a city almost killed by small government (New Orleans) wasn't enough, new evidence emerged yesterday that our friends in ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) have raised hypocrisy to an art. ALEC is a haven for anti-government hacks. In addition to union-busting model bills, there are a whole load more that press for the privatization of, well pretty much everything that you can think of. During their 2007 national meeting pick up their catering tab.
.....documents also show that a $50,000 appropriation to cater the ALEC meeting was added into the state budget, a food bill footed by taxpayers that included $30,450 in roasted chicken breast and $3,000 for cheesecake lollipops. The budget outlay was described as "for the payment of expenses related to hosting conferences, meetings or conventions of multistage organizations which protect the member states' interests or which promote governmental financial excellence or accountability."....
If you're in the New Orleans area next week, join us for the demonstration that we are having there.
If you can't do that you can always write a letter to the editor of your local paper.
But my personal favorite would be for everyone here to "like" ALEC's facebook page and "follow" their Twitter so that you can then tell them what you think of them taking government cash to promote an anti-government legislative agenda. We've already forced them to pull their "publicopoly" initiative and purge their web site. Now, let's see if we can force them to abandon their social media by speaking our peace.
I'll be tracking both of them, and posting the best material below.
Finally, If you've got ALEC related stories please use this diary as an open thread.