Freedom, democracy, and unelected legislatures

In my readings, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has been appearing more and more.  A recent article was "Koch, Exxon Mobil Among Corporations Helping Write State Laws Across U.S." Alison Fitzgerald, Bloomberg, 2011-07-20,

ALEC arranges meetings with legislators and corporate representatives to write model legislation.  This legislation is often introduced verbatim into legislative agendas.  Raegan Weber, an ALEC spokeswoman, says the group simply facilitates the sharing of information and “good conservative policy.” ALEC’s mission is to promote free markets, limited government, federalism and individual freedom, according to its website. “All of our policies are in line with those principles,” said Weber.

To me these nice-sounding words mean unrestricted operation for big corporations, government that stays out of the way of big corporations, government at the state level that is easier to control, and individual freedom for executives.  George Orwell's Newspeak is alive and well.

Missing in all these fine words are democracy and small-r republicanism.  The people and things public (res public) are left out of the picture.

Is Gov. Scott Walker following the Wisconsin Constitution?

The preamble of the Wisconsin Constitution states:

We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this constitution.

First, Gov. Walker had on his podium at his acceptance speech a sign that that stated, "Wisconsin, Open for Business".

Business generally means a few people, not "the people".  This was clearly shown when Gov. Walker was entrapped into speaking with a resident of Manhattan, New York,  David Koch, Executive Vice President of Koch Industries.

Second, by raising such a contentious issue as restricting the rights of public employee unions, no matter at what level of government, he definitely is not seeking domestic tranquility.

Third, promoting the welfare of business over people is not promoting the general welfare.

Some would argue that this is a case for impeachment.  Whether it is or is not, the Wisconsin Legislature is controlled by Republicans; impeachment is a moot point.

Maybe some Wisconsin dissident would display this version of the Wisconsin Constitution:

We, the corporations of Wisconsin and elsewhere, grateful to the Republican Party for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more pliant government, insure domestic tranquility and promote corporate welfare, do establish this constitution.