corporate influence over public policy

And the takeover couldn't have happened without some Judas Iscariots to betray our freedoms:

Phillips declined to say how much money AFP, which isn’t required to disclose its contributions and spending, spent in the state. “It was significant,” Phillips said. “There will be more old conservative policy changes in North Carolina than in any other state this year,” said Dallas Woodhouse, AFP’s state director. “We have a lot of ground to make up. We have the right mix of state leaders and governor to pass some earth-shattering reform.”

Yeah, that's just what you need when you're trying to struggle your way out of a recession; "Earth-shattering". And just for those Republican lawmakers who happen to be reading this (I know some of them do), I want you to pay special attention to not-the-bus-driver's wording: "We have". That's possessive, meaning Dallas and his paymasters believe you are now a possession. And possessions do as they're told. You don't agree? Prove it.

And in the process, the people themselves will be muzzled:

OVERBY: Yeah, one proposal is called the ALEC Attorney General Authority Act. And to really boil it down, it would give state legislatures more power to tell attorneys general when they can and cannot file lawsuits. Just for example, it says the attorneys general's client is the state, not necessarily the people of the state.

Before I continue, here's a question for SEC members to ask themselves: If the Parmley fiasco had not occurred, which brought about today's hastily-called meeting, would Don Vaughan still be an active member of ALEC and in attendance this weekend in Charlotte? I think you know the answer to that.

Via Ed Cone's blog wordup:

Many years ago, when I joined the American Legislative Exchange Council it was a nonpartisan group which provided a forum for legislators to discuss issues. However, I agree with the many others who have recently left ALEC. In recent years ALEC has become too partisan. Because of that, I am announcing my resignation from ALEC.

It's a step in the right direction, but I'm not sure I'm ready to classify it as a "dealmaker". The timing suggests it was a "reaction" to the negative perceptions of others, as opposed to a "proactive" move based on personal convictions. Which is not to say Vaughan doesn't have said convictions, but I'd rather not have to wonder. And in answer to Senator Doug Berger's admonishment of my opinion:

Not something I would write home about:

Rep. Thom Tillis (R), State Legislator of the Year - 2011
• Rep. Harold Brubaker (R), William J. Raggio Excellence Award - 2009 (currently an ALEC board member)
• Rep. Julia Howard (R), State Legislator of the Year - 2006/2007

It's important to note the man who Chairs the NCGA Budget Committee (Harold Brubaker) has been a loyal and productive member of ALEC for over ten years: