keep in mind big money is running at election time!

[luckyleftyme2]

here is a little piece on how big money is trying to control your money to increase their profit margin while killing your benefits!
ALEC ExposedSubmitted by AFSCME Council 5 on March 6, 2012 - 1:00pm.



Investigative reporters are shining a spotlight on the right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a membership organization of Republican state legislators bankrolled by the Koch brothers and powerful corporations. Their conservative philosophy is that government should be demonized, starved or privatized. To impose their view, ALEC produces model legislation that, according to articles in the The Nation and Bloomberg, is heavily influenced by industry groups. ALEC boasts that 1,000 bills based on its model legislation are introduced in state legislatures each year. In Minnesota, we’re familiar with those toxic bills that take away the collective bargaining rights of public employees, cripple unions, privatize public services and loosen regulations and lower taxes on corporations. Minnesota co-chairs of ALEC are Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) and Rep. Matt Dean (R-Stillwater).

Tea Party fanatics in Minnesota are preaching the gospel according to ALEC: —“We’re broke”; “Public sector workers are to blame”; “If we tax the rich we’ll face economic extinction” – and ALEC has given them the legislative tools to enact their vision.

More than 50 bills attacking worker rights were introduced in the Minnesota Legislature this year – and we know ALEC influenced that toxic legislation.

Right-wing state legislators quietly met with corporate lobbyists behind closed doors during an ALEC training at Bandana Square in St. Paul on March 4, 2011. Co-hosting the event were former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer and House Majority Leader Matt Dean. We also spotted Sen. Warren Limmer (R–Maple Grove) and Gen Olson (R–Minnetrista).

These secret meetings – underwritten by the insurance industry, big oil, pharmaceutical giants and a private prison corporation – are part of an on-going effort to subvert the public interest. This hidden collusion between well-financed lobbyists and elected legislators undermines the basic American values of public debate and full-disclosure that Americans rightly expect when our laws are made.

well folks they got the best pr going and they certainly have influence in Maine! and money to pass out to those will do their bidding!