Durbin’s intimidation a typical problem

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin is worried that members of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) may not be in full accordance with policies set forth by the group as a whole.

The catalyst for Sen. Durbin’s concern has to do with ALEC backing “stand your ground” laws, of which the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman trial played an important role in helping to determine George Zimmerman’s acquittal. Sen. Durbin’s thinly veiled concern for members of an organization he is obviously hostile to is nothing more than political intimidation as he seeks to learn the names of donors and their specific beliefs relative to their support of the ALEC’s position.

If Sen. Durbin was so concerned about ALEC donors and the various issues they may or may not support, you would think the senator’s concern would extend to other organizations whose involuntary donors, i.e. union members who may have similar concerns as to where their union dues are going.

It would be hard to imagine rank and file union members supporting 100 percent of their unions’ policy decisions, especially the undying fealty to the Democratic Party.

Of course unions keep their rank and file in lockstep, at least publicly, for fear of reprisals and even out of fear of harassment or worse. Sen. Durbin needs to focus on the shambled, corrupted state of Illinois and the corrosive environment this state has operated under Democratic Party rule for the past decade and longer.

Free speech and the right of association is not what’s ruining the state of Illinois. One could argue crass political intimidation such as the senator’s blatant power play concerning ALEC are at the core of the rot permeating Illinois.

Steve Sarich

Grayslake