Google: Doing Evil with ALEC

Written on October 13th, 2013 in politics Comments Off

Google Inc. is now aligned with the notorious ALEC – Published on ZNet, by Norman Solomon, October 10, 2013.

… In the process, Google has signed onto an organization that promotes such regressive measures as tax cuts for tobacco companies, school privatization to help for-profit education firms, repeal of state taxes for the wealthy and opposition to renewable energy disliked by oil companies.  

ALEC’s reactionary efforts – thoroughly documented by the Center for Media and Democracy – are shameful assaults on democratic principles. And Google is now among the hundreds of companies in ALEC. Many people who’ve admired Google are now wondering: how could this be?

Well, in his recent book “Digital Disconnect: How Capitalism Is Turning the Internet Against Democracy,” Robert W. McChesney provides vital context. “It is true that with the advent of the Internet many of the successful giants – Apple and Google come to mind – were begun by idealists who may have been uncertain whether they really wanted to be old-fashioned capitalists,” he writes. “The system in short order has whipped them into shape” … //

… Those comments reflect widening comprehension of Google and the significance of its alignment with ALEC. Here’s a sampling: … //

  • … “ALEC organizes capital to crush people by gaining any all benefits for the wealthy. That has consequences for children, elderly, disabled, veterans, working people — your customers. Please look beyond the near-term bottomline.”  Benita C., Burgettstown, PA
  • “Greed may be the worst terror facing this country. Greed, of corporations and some individuals, seems bent on destroying our democracy. We have to fight back!”  Anne G., Arlington, TX
  • “ALEC is evil. Those who fund ALEC are enabling evil. Enough said.”  Monty N., Helena, MT
  • “Google: Better get your house in order and your priorities straight. Average Americans are in no mood for this crap.”  Lawrence H., Fall Creek, WI
  • “For a company that loves to talk about the forward thinking way it treats employees, it surely seems acts just like every other ultra conservative corporate giant.”  Andrew W., Pittsfield, MA
  • “Why such cowardice?”  Mitchell S., Philadelphia, PA
  • “I knew the Don’t Be Evil mantra would disappear once the big money started flowing in. They’re no different than any other sleazy money-grubbing corporation in the cesspool of greed the USA has become.”  Gill F., Olympia, WA
  • “Disgusting professional activity on the part of this huge corrupt business. Google is going to have to do a lot of work to earn back the respect of a huge segment of the public; this only one of many recent revelations about Google’s despicable conduct as an entity.”  Susan H., Lafayette, IN
  • “Big money, big business, big lies.”  Stephen D., Grants Pass, OR
  • “Please stand for individual’s freedom rather than corporate greed and stop supporting ALEC.”  Carol B., San Rafael, CA
  • “Your company went from hip and caring to right of Attila the Hun and nasty in a few years…”  Roger W., Montpelier, VT
  • “ALEC has been a disaster for the vast majority of citizens in Wisconsin and other states. It has become a leading supporter of fascist attacks on women’s sacred reproductive rights.”  Edith M., Milwaukee, WI
  • “ALEC has done tremendous harm to this country and its political system. Any support for the organization is support for tearing down constitutional government.”  James F., Minneapolis, MN
  • “Just provide a service and take home your inflated paycheck. Stay out of the rest. And by the way, erase my browsing history, you nosey anti-American hacks.”  Jeff Cole, Tucson, AZ
  • “If Google and Facebook have any integrity left, please prove it by not funding ALEC!”  Douglas W., Chicago, IL
  • “ALEC is trying to dismantle our civil society. Do not be part of it.”  Jean Beck, Lynnwood, WA
  • “Have a heart!!!!!!”  Artalious S., McDonough GA
  • “ALEC is a big step backwards in human evolution, or a big step toward Big Brother.”  Victoria G., Portland, OR
  • “Disgusting. More government for the highest bidders.”  Michael P., Morton Grove, IL
  • “The worst thing about ALEC is its anti-democratic nature which buys votes to override the will of the people. As an information source this should violate your principles.”  Lon H., Ferndale, MI
  • “When you are as giant as Google, you ALMOST have stomp on us little people. Please please please be with US…”  Jon S., Lafayette, CO
  • “This is indicative of what happens when the founders of a company grow extremely wealthy. They align themselves more and more with the organizations that will further their agenda of market dominance and profit taking. The support of ALEC by the two founders of Google is particularly hypocritical because of their original pledge to not be evil. Shame on both of you.”  Bruce B., Port Townsend, WA

(full text).

(Norman Solomon is co-founder of RootsAction.org and founding director of the Institute for Public Accuracy. His books include War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death).

Links – on en.wikipedia:

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