ALEC defines itself as a nonpartisan charity that simply tries to “share ideas with legislators”. Meanwhile groups against ALEC, like the Center for Media and Democracy, describe ALEC as a “secret collaboration between Big Business and conservative politicians” that writes model legislation and lobbies legislators. ALEC was relatively obscure until the watchdog group Common Cause released a trove of secret documents showing ALEC’s connection to the drafting and passage of Arizona’s controversial SB1070.
Most recently anti-ALEC groups have used the shooting of Trayvon Martin as a focusing event to increase pressure against ALEC. Florida’s Stand Your Ground law was first tied to the shooting by gun control supporters. The subsequent public outrage over Stand Your Ground laws created the perfect opportunity window for anti-ALEC groups to highlight the evil nature of ALEC and the necessity of destroying it. ALEC was highly influential and supportive in crafting Stand Your Ground laws around the country and publicity of this fact has proven to be the powerful weapon in mobilization against ALEC. Over 76,000 people have signed a recent petition to pressure major corporations to stop funding the group and the New York Times reports a proposed Senate investigation into ALEC’s “public charity” claim.
The public attention on this interest group shows not only the growing power of interest groups to secretly influence public policy, but the remaining power of public opinion. Dominance in the war between interest groups revolved around the public’s support and opinions. Public opinion can thus be either seen as a bulwark against a tyranny of factions or as a fickle interference in politics. It depends on how much faith you have in masses.
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