Common Causes Selective Outrage
By Sean Parnell
Self-styled government watchdog Common Cause has demanded the IRS investigate the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), claiming the group has engaged in lobbying, in violation of the laws governing 501(c)(3) organizations. The allegations are not only baseless, they expose Common Cause as an organization less interested in pushing for honest government than in pushing an ideological agenda.
ALEC is an organization composed of conservative state legislators. It brings members together mostly with businesses and conservative-oriented nonprofits to discuss public policy ideas.
Among other activities, ALEC makes public policy recommendations in the form of pieces of “model legislation,” which make it easier for state legislators (who often do not have their own staff) to take policy ideas back to their states and introduce them along with any modifications needed to suit local circumstances.
