David and Goliath, who is David?

Growing up, the story of David and Goliath fascinated me and today causes me to reflect that, perhaps, the governments of that day were more civilized than today. Choosing a "champion fighter" from each side and accepting the results would save a lot of bloodshed, not to mention property destroyed.

In one way, perhaps we have done this. This week, Wednesday to be exact, Missouri's governor and legislature will battle over the laws passed by the legislature but suffered a veto by the governor.

If the legislature can persuade enough votes, they can override the veto and the bill will become law in spite of objections by the governor and those who voted against its passage.

In this example, who is Goliath and who is David? Normally, one might think of the governor as Goliath because of the power vested in his office by the Missouri Constitution. If just Missouri citizens, legislators and the governor were involved, it might be seen as pretty much an even match of power, but there is a problem that tries to remain hidden and work for passage of laws that benefit the powerful people and corporations of our society.

That hidden power is a group called ALEC, for short. The full name is American Legislative Exchange Council. They are heavily supported by large corporations, one of which supposedly works to improve our telephone service but cannot find funds to bring fiber optic cable to us. Millionaires and billionaires are major supporters. To express their purpose, they use words and names generally approved by the majority. The term now used is they "frame" their rationale in words we think are positive like freedom, free markets, limited government. To defeat a proposal, they use words like "socialism, liberal, governmental control and over-regulation."

Read more closely, study their proposals, which they present to legislators in as many states as they can (usually identical wording) and you will find a far different story. One source lists bills they advocate as: bills that limit "rights of people injured by companies, rights of workers, power to regulate pollution, power to tax, restrictions on 'free trade,' public benefits like Social Security, rules for schools and the financial, insurance and telecom industries."

To accomplish their agenda, legislators receive large contributions and are invited with their families to plush resorts, sports activities, "wined and dined" and fed information, via "scholarships" supporting their efforts.

Sadly, the senator from our district is listed as "former state chairman" for the group. Others from his party may be included, but one year only one from the "minority" party in our state was listed, and may have been from another state.

Given this influence, our governor may be somewhat overmatched as David seemed to be. Several bills have been promoted by this group but were vetoed and will require a two-thirds majority in both Houses to override his veto. One, HB 253, reduces income tax for business and corporations, in some cases in half.

It removes the current sales tax exemption on prescription medicines and on textbooks (a major expense for college students). It would also require further reduction in educational funds and services to balance the reduced revenue.

Do you want laws written by, and for, wealthy individuals and corporations that are doing very well, thanks to their lobbyists and legislators who have received favors for their votes?

Or are you concerned that, like our neighbor state of Kansas, we will experience deficits and raise sales taxes, the most regressive tax, to try to make up for the deficit, caused by similar laws?

If you agree with my concern, call, email, or use any means you have to let Mr. Pike or Mr. Emery know your opinion. (Note: Your newspaper is kind enough to provide contact information regularly.)