Many occupy movements are calling for an end to corporate personhood as an initial step to limit the power of corporations and the 1%. I think that Occupy Oakland should vote on a proposal to endorse an end to corporate personhood, and that we should get in contact with as many of the other occupy camps as possible in order to determine if this is an issue that we can unify around nationally.
For folks who are unfamiliar with the issue of corporate personhood, the documentary “The Corporation” is a good introduction. People all over the country were outraged at the Supreme court’s “Citizen’s United” ruling last January that affirmed corporations ability to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections, hijacking the people’s democracy for the 1%. Overturning Citizens United will take a constitutional amendment, which can happen in two ways:
To Propose Amendments
- Two-thirds of both houses of Congress vote to propose an amendment, or
- Two-thirds of the state legislatures ask Congress to call a national convention to propose amendments. (This method has never been used.)
To Ratify Amendments
- Three-fourths of the state legislatures approve it, or
- Ratifying conventions in three-fourths of the states approve it. This method has been used only once — to ratify the 21st Amendment — repealing Prohibition.
Because our house and senate are highly corrupted, it is highly unlikely that we can get a 2/3 vote from them which would stop the flow of money into their own pockets. Fortunately, we can do it at the state level, and the occupy movement has the numbers nationally to make it happen. At this time, there are many citizen’s groups working on this issue. If we agree to move forward on it we will need good communication in order to not duplicate efforts and to maximize the momentum that we are building.
Thoughts? Ideas on Strategy?
Much love to Occupy Oakland, Wednesday was AMAZING!
Julia
Public unions do the same thing they should be banned, and banned for giving campaign donations.
I agree with both the “Get the Money Out” of politics movement, and the end of “corporate personhood”. I think we all have to invest a little time in both of these. Nationwide? It’s happening–here’s one site that’s helping:
http://www.getmoneyout.com/
And do you know that the Supreme Court never actually ruled on “corporate personhood”? It was established by a clerk’s headnote or summary atop the landmark Santa Clara County decision with Southern Pacific Railroad. If you read a brief summary of the case’s historic importance, you’ll see how the Chief Justice avoided the decision, yet made it likely that the precedent would take hold even without the Court rendering a decision.
I heard this first from Thom Hartmann, and sure enough, wikipedia backs it up! (Humor intended, but the history is fairly clear, I think.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Clara_County_v._Southern_Pacific_Railroad
I applaud the goal, but there’s a simpler way: “corporate personhood” allows corporations to pou r money into political campaigns, thereby gaining influence; granted, a deplorable state of affairs. More comprehensive solution: 100% publicly funded campaings. NO donations or contributions from anyone for any amount. Television stations (airwaves publicly owned, BTW) donate plenty of airtime to candidates during campaign season. Government publishes extensive position papers for free, and newspapers contribute space also. Done. It’s up to the candidates to stand out in this rather impersonal forum. Freedom of speech: write to the editor. Money is not speech.