by David Safier

I don't know how many years I've been writing my "Fools Gold" posts about the inner workings of the Goldwater Institute. Years. But in the media, G.I. has mainly been a source of quotes to round out articles and little more. While the Institute was working behind the scenes to shape Arizona's Republican agenda, the media either wasn't paying attention or wasn't interested.

That's beginning to change. A news report by Brahm Resnik on Phoenix's Channel 12 News covered the union rally at the Capitol protesting anti-worker legislation making its way through committees and onto the floor. The report said, the protest focused more on the Goldwater Institute's hand in the legislation than the legislators.

You can watch the video on the azcentral website or below the fold.

The union protester featured in the piece said this:

"It is an issue of peole who are willing to be controlled by the Goldwater Institute, which is in turn controlled by ALEC, which is in turn controlled by the corporate raiders."

Cut to G.I. President Darcy who says, basically: Shucks, G.I. is just a little ol' group trying to get its heartfelt ideas out there. Cut to the committee meeting where G.I. experts are testifying and others are reading statements written on G.I. stationery.

Resnik does an excellent job of letting the facts do the talking. The more he shows of G.I.'s denials, the clearer it is, they're the power behind the anti-worker bills.

The bad news is, G.I. and ALEC are more powerful than ever. The slightly more positive news is, the media is beginning to catch on and reporting about the puppet masters and not just the legislative marionettes dancing on a string.

Watch the video below the fold.

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Apparently Jeremy Duda at the Arizona Capitol Times thinks I am overstating the case by giving Jan Brewer the moniker the "Scott Walker of the West" (See The GOP war on organized labor: Jan Brewer's bid to be the Scott Walker of the West begins Wednesday) for the reasons that she has not endorsed the package of anti-union bills, and that the Arizona Police Association, Arizona Fraternal Order of Police and Phoenix Law Enforcement Association endorsed Brewer in 2010, while the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona stayed neutral. Brewer precedent may spell doom for union bills – Arizona Capitol Times.

First, Brewer rarely discloses her position on a bill before the legislature completes its work. Her spokesman's statement on the package of anti-union bills was about laying down a marker for her priority, her so-called "personnel reform," not any opposition to union busting. Boss Tweed: destroy civil service system before destroying public employee unions.

Second, Brewer may show favoritism towards corrections officers, police officers, and firefighters – just as Scott Walker did by exempting them from his collective bargaining bill in Wisconsin – but when push comes to shove against other public sector employee unions the public safety unions will come to the aid of their brothers and sisters just as they did in Wisconsin. They fully understand that if they do not defend these unions they will be next.

As pastor Martin Niemöller observed in "First They Came"…"Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist… Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me."

So if the "Scott Walker of the West" moniker is only a bit premature, there should be no disagreement that the "Boss Tweed" moniker aptly applies to Jan Brewer's so-called "personnel reforms."

Brewer wants to do away with civil service merit selection system protection and return to the political Spoils system of political patronage and the days of Tamanny Hall. Brewer’s personnel plan seeks to ease firing, hiring state workers – Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required):

Gov. Jan Brewer is seeking to fundamentally alter the way state employees are hired, fired and managed.

In short, the governor wants to make it easier for administrators to hire and fire workers.

by David Safier Dr. Word noticed a beautifully turned phrase in Newt Gingrich's CPAC speech. Newt Gingrich, hitting Obama in his CPAC speech, said the president will "wage war on the Catholic church the morning after he is reelected." Any Republican could have made the same point, but who else would have the command of … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) says its submission of the congressional map and supporting documentation will start the 60-day period for the Justice Department to either approve or reject the map or request more information. Arizona submits congressional map to US for review – Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required). The commission says its … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I provided a breakdown of HB2647, a "Rio Nuevo bill" in Downtown developers, 'crony capitalism' and the Arizona legislature's Rio Nuevo Board. It is essentially tax abatement subsidies (incentives) for favored developers in Downtown Tucson. As I alluded to in the post, the Arizona legislature banned tax abatement subsidies (incentives) for retail development in Maricopa … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: This is the first "must attend" event of the campaign season for candidates running for office in Pima County. This meet & greet is your chance to introduce yourself to Democratic Party activists and donors.