Today, Bernie Sanders introduced a constitutional amendment in the Senate.
It reads:
ARTICLE SECTION 1: The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons and do not extend to for-profit corporations, limited liability companies, or other private entities established for business purposes or to promote business interests under the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state.
ARTICLE SECTION 2: Such corporate and other private entities established under law are subject to regulation by the people through the legislative process so long as such regulations are consistent with the powers of Congress and the States and do not limit the freedom of the press.
ARTICLE SECTION 3: Such corporate and other private entities shall be prohibited from making contributions or expenditures in any election of any candidate for public office or the vote upon any ballot measure submitted to the people.
ARTICLE SECTION 4: Congress and the States shall have the power to regulate and set limits on all election contributions and expenditures, including a candidate’s own spending, and to authorize the establishment of political committees to receive, spend, and publicly disclose the sources of those contributions and expenditures.
IT IS TIME FOR THE PEOPLE TO TAKE BACK OUR GOVERNMENT!
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This amendment is a great idea. Unfortunately, the amendment doesn't stand a chance as long as these trillionaire corporation/people are in charge. We can't take away corporate personhood until we pass this amendment, and we can't pass the amendment until we take away corporate personhood.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be so cynical...
More and more, whenever Sanders' name comes up, I end up thinking or saying, "Good for him!" This one gets a loud shout.
ReplyDeleteIf it passes I see legal challenges aplenty for Section 4, though, on First Amendment grounds. And we know where the Supremes are on that, which is right where the Koch brothers want them to be.
This is a Constitutional Amendment, not a law. There will be no legal challenges. It is by definition legal.
ReplyDeleteAt least someone is taking a stand. This is good.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone ever told you that no one Gives A Crap!
ReplyDeleteAbout your stupid fucken blog or about YOU personally.
You Dick-head.
I agree with Mr. Sanders on this. But, as you know, Jerry, I'm also opposed to the corporate income tax (I would instead raise taxes on wealthy individuals) and think that these 2 things need to go together.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like I'm not the only one who's been bitten by the troll bug.
ReplyDeleteRemoving personhood from corporations strengthen your argument for not taxing them. I might, repeat might, be inclined to go along with you.
ReplyDeleteI feel honored that The question man has come out of the woodwork to bless me with his wisdom. Of course he is wrong. There is at least one person who Gives A Crap...ME.
A huge hurray for Bernie Sanders!
ReplyDeleteYou have an open mind on this, Jerry, and I commend you. I would also refer you to Robert Reich's book, "Super Capitalism" in which he also argues for a doing away of this form of taxation.
ReplyDeleteI still like my idea that if we are going to exempt a group from taxation, it should be people rather than businesses. After all, most peoples' income comes from a business. Let's tax that income at the source (they already withhold it anyway) and free us of the burden.
ReplyDeleteIT's fine with me, as long as ALL organizations are restricted in such a fashion. And the rights of individuals, including those who are members of corporations or other organizations, are not hindered in any way.
ReplyDeleteI disagree strongly with Article 4, as it does not apply to the rich and famous, who can do informational book tours and such as part of their campaign but not call it such. The same applies to incumbents.
And yes, these articles should apply to non-profits and ALL organizations. There's no good reason to split them like Sanders has and clobber organizations he dislikes and leave unscatched those he likes.
ReplyDelete