Yes, There Are Still "Democrats" In ALEC

The right-wing, corporatist American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is holding a summit in Scottsdale, AZ this week. That caught the attention of super-progressive, Flagstaff-based congressional candidate Eva Putzova, who noted in an e-mail to her supporters that ALEC brings conservative lawmakers together with corporate lobbyists... to craft and pass racist legislation that harms communities of color." She also noted that the current occupant of the AZ-01 seat she's running to represent, Blue Dog Tom O'Halleran, "is a dues-paying alumnus of ALEC... ALEC is notorious for some of the most harmful legislation in the past decade. Groups such as the Center for Constitutional Rights and Dream Defenders have called out ALEC for being one of the most powerful groups working to sustain “corporate power and white supremacy” in our political system."

"How can Tom O’Halleran," she asked, "a Democrat, stand by this kind of organization? ... In Arizona, ALEC was instrumental in SB1070-- a racist law that criminalized undocumented people and legalized racial profiling. In 2015, they helped enact 'Stand Your Ground' laws in 27 states after the murder of Trayvon Martin. They have also been instrumental in sponsoring bills across the country that increase criminal penalties for Indigenous Peoples who protest construction of fossil fuel infrastructure. We’re up against a political establishment that cares more about secret motives and private corporations than people." You can help Eva beat O'Halleran by contributing to her campaign on the page this thermometer on the right will bring you to.

I want to tell you that there are other reactionary pretend-Democrats serving in Congress today who are also ALEC alumni. There's one on the Senate-- Joe Manchin (WV). And in the House:

• Debbie Wasserman Schultz (New Dem-FL)
• Kurt Schrader (Blue Dog-OR)
• Ed Perlmutter (New Dem-CO)
• Al Lawson (New Dem-FL)

Meanwhile, Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba, the progressive running for the Oregon congressional seat occupied by Blue Dog Kurt Schrader, pointed out that "ALEC is one of the most destructive forces in American politics today. They quietly work behind the scenes at both the federal and state levels, passing exactly the kinds of sneaky laws that have impoverished the bottom 50% of America and destroyed our environment. They are the epitome of evil. Any supposed Democrat who was willing to work with Alec, let alone be a member, is a bigger problem than the Republicans. I would hope that Democrats across the country would work to primary ANY 'Democrat' that has worked with ALEC at any level. Kurt Schrader has not only voted to pass very bad legislation, but has actively helped Republicans garner more Blue Dog votes for destructive bills, as the leader of the caucus. This explains why Kurt gets checks from the Kochs. If our democracy has any chance of pulling out of the death spiral that gave us Trump, me must eliminate all of the sold out people in Congress."