Justice Stevens said it well, “… corporations have no consciences, no beliefs, no feelings, no thoughts, no desires…. they are not themselves members of “We the People” by whom and for whom our Constitution was established.”
The Gulf of Mexico is suffering the worst environmental debacle in our history. We have suffered because of corporation’s preferential treatment and greed. If anyone thinks we can afford to wait for the incumbent parties to changes anything, I want to remind you, they are the ones that have put us here. Many of us spent the summer calling, emailing, and/or screaming for BP to stop the use of toxic dispersant. But, for the most part, our voices fell on the deaf ears of our representatives. I suppose we should have hired lobbyists.
If politicians need lobbyists to recommend what they should do, then they do not belong in office! We wanted them to stop spraying us with a highly toxic substance; it was common sense! We lobby, push, advocate, promote, sway, urge, petition, influence, pressure and support… the interest of the people. Our representatives are supposed to be in office to do all those things for us, the constituents! The constituent, the voter, the citizens are the ones who pay their salary [with handsome benefits]. Do not allow them to spray toxic dispersant to hide the oil. Be our friend! Represent us! Listen to us!
Lobbying has been around since the 1800s; before the telephone and long before television or internet. Like the Electoral College, it is archaic. We no longer need groups to speak or think for us. We are very much capable of communicating with our representatives to plead our case. Corporations are not people! Corporations lobby for entities. They should not have Equal Rights! Distortion of our Constitution has created Corporate America- by lobbying our politicians [who appoint judges]. Corporate power is out of control!
Lobbying has been protected by the First Amendment~ Right to Petition:
‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.’
The right to petition government is the right of the people! Corporations have taken advantage of a right we the people have- a right to complain. We have the right to complain when we are sprayed with toxic dispersant! Not only should we be protected from poison, we should be heard! Corporations have twisted lobbying to the point it violates other rights guaranteed to the people. Our Founders thought to protect other rights they did not specify and how they too, should be “retained by the people”. I consider the Ninth Amendment: ‘The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.’
It is not just the laws that make a difference; there must be enforcement and correct interpretation of the laws and our Constitutional Rights; for the people, not corporations. The US Supreme Court recently ruled corporations are people (Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission). Justice Stevens said it well; unfortunately the majority of the Supreme Court did not agree. I’m pretty sure the court’s foundation for that unbelievable ruling actually comes from a court clerk’s note, not a judicial ruling.
Corporations are not people! Corporate power is out of control! Say No to Corporate America!
I came across this today; the title speaks for itself but I hope you will take time to read this enlightening article, Study Documents Corporate Takeover of Supreme Court
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http://www.gp.org
The US Green Party is a legitimate political party that is not beholden to the corporations in any way.
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