Lobbying to Prevent Change
It is simply a part of doing business that corporations will form or ally themselves with lobbying groups to push forward their agenda by influencing legislators to protect entrenched practices even in the face of public opposition. As we witness giant mergers taking place year after year, we also see these business giants becoming increasingly dominant in society, to the point where they wield a measure of influence comparable to small countries. They ensure their position by campaign finance programs so that short-sighted politicians act on their behalf. Even before the events of September 11, legislation was sought in the Senate – sponsored by Jesse Helms – to enshrine animal experimentation in law. That effort pretty much died in committee, but a new effort is underway by the American Legislative Exchange Council: the Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act, a measure by all indications even more draconian than the USA Patriot Act. This time the campaign appears to be more insidious, not only because ALEC has a pretty good lobbying record at getting bills voted on, but also in that their efforts are being directed toward the States, effectively bypassing the national news sources (as well as providing the federal government with the appearance of a national public-based groundswell). Texas and New York have already introduced bills modelled on ALEC’s proposal, and there are indications other States legislators are interested in seeing a positive outcome. It appears patently unconstitutional to me, as – using language from the Texas bill – defining an animal rights group as “two or more persons organized for the purpose of supporting any politically motivated activity intended to obstruct or deter any person from participating in an activity involving animals or... natural resources” would seem to violate the Bill of Rights’ protection of free association. And making out such a group to be terrorists is exploitive of the climate of fear the Bush Administration has sought to impose on the country. Organizations such as Earth First! and the Animal Liberation Front have been reported as having acted in a manner classifiable as criminal under existing statutes, but laws as broadly written as this could put you in jeopardy for signing a World Wildlife Fund petition. While the political focus is on Washington for the most part, State legislation like this can make progress. I usually feel I can rely on the courts to ensure such acts do not last on the books, but while they are there, they can do more damage to our freedoms and to our progress as thoughtful, caring beings with a commitment to the environment and to ethical behavior than is often realized. Keep an eye on these people: they’re dangerous.