If We End Corporate Personhood We Can Define the Terms of a New Economy
by: Thom Hartmann, Berrett-Koehler Publishers | Book Excerpt
The prevalence of the corporation in America has led men of this generation to act, at times, as if the privilege of doing business in corporate form were inherent in the citizen; and has led them to accept the evils attendant upon the free and unrestricted use of the corporate mechanism as if these evils were the inescapable price of civilized life, and, hence, to be borne with resignation.
Throughout the greater part of our history a different view prevailed.
Although the value of this instrumentality in commerce and industry was fully recognized, incorporation for business was commonly denied long after it had been freely granted for religious, educational, and charitable purposes.
It was denied because of fear. Fear of encroachment upon the liberties and opportunities of the individual. Fear of the subjection of labor to capital. Fear of monopoly. Fear that the absorption of capital by corporations, and their perpetual life, might bring evils similar to those which attended mortmain [immortality]. There was a sense of some insidious menace inherent in large aggregations of capital, particularly when held by corporations.
— U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, 19331
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The Fascinating History of How Corporations Became "People" -- Thanks to Corrupt Courts Working for the 1%
Occupiers could direct their energy not only at Wall Street, but also at its enablers, in Congress, and ultimately, at the high court.
November 23, 2011
The Supreme Court, with a right-wing majority under Chief Justice John Roberts, has become a body that leans too far toward the “1 percent” to be considered a neutral arbiter. So whether they know all the ins and outs of the court's profound rightward shift or not, those protesting across the country as part of the Occupy movement are motivated by its corruption as well.
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And more on the bizarre history of Citizen United:
[1] 10-01-21 Citizens United v Federal Election Commission 130 S.Ct. 876 (2010) at the Supreme Court of the United States - opinion of Prof Chemerinsky and Wikipedia overview
[2] 11-03-16 The Riddle of Citizens United v Federal Election Commission (08-205) in the Supreme Court of the United States - Review and Compiled Online Records-s
[3] 10-01-21 Citizens United v Federal Election Commission 130 S.Ct. 876 (2010) at the Supreme Court of the United States - opinion of Prof Chemerinsky and Wikipedia overview-s
[4] 11-03-25 PRESS RELEASE: the Riddle of Citizens United v Federal Election Commission... the Missing February 22, 2010 Judgment...
[5] 11-04-22 PRESS RELEASE: US Supreme Court Mystery – the Missing Judgment of Citizens United
[6] 11-05-10 Reply on FEC Response on FEC Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request, No. 2011-46, in re: February 22, 2010 Judgment in Citizens United v Federal Election Commission (08-805) -s
[7] 11-05-10 Citizens United v Federal Election Commission - Simulated Litigation in the US Supreme Court…
[8] 11-05-17 Repeat Request for a Signed FEC FOIA Response No 2011-46, in re: valid February 22, 2010 Judgment record from the US Supreme Court
[9] 11-05-17 PRESS RELEASE: Citizens United v Federal Election Commission in the US Supreme Court - so far only a simulated Judgment record has been discovered…
[10] 11-05-23 RE: Citizens United v Federal Elections Commission, FEC FOIA No. 2011-46:2nd Zernik’s Reply on FEC’s 2nd FOIA Response
[11] 11-05-23 Citizens United v Federal Election Commission (1-07-cv-2240) in the US District Court, DC – invalid court records in a Simulated Litigation
[12] 11-05-23 PRESS RELEASE: Citizens United v Federal Election Commission in the US District Court, DC – invalid court records in a Simulated Litigation
[13] 11-05-24 RE Citizens United v Federal Election Commission (FEC) - Request for Policy Statement by FEC s
[14] 11-05-24 PRESS RELEASE: Federal Election Commission (FEC) is asked to disregard Citizens United v Federal Election Commission as Simulated Litigation
[15] 11-06-01 In re: Citizens United v FEC - Dustin Ensinger - Judge Rules Corporations Can Contribute Directly to Candidates_Economy in Crisis
