It's official: The United States, as some have always suspected, is truly governed by corporate America. Not content to continue on as the power behind the throne, it has finagled its way into that revered document, the U.S. Constitution. Even the most starry-eyed idealist will now have trouble maintaining that this great country of ours is "for the people".
Of course, the Supreme Court itself is more to blame. Its responsibility is to interpret and uphold the Constitution, not backpedal on its own decisions when faced with spurious legal babble presented by corporate lackeys. I can understand the latter trying anything to get the case decided in favor of big money, even proffering an idea as ridiculous as the concept of a corporate entity being equal to a human being and thereby capable of free speech. But where, I wonder, did the Court find in our founding document that very definition?
Apparently, these behemoths of industry will now enjoy all the rights and protections of citizens. The Court would have us believe that the framers intended to have "corporations", a term and concept not heard of at the time, on an equal footing with persons. Certainly, corporations are considered "entities" as far as tax law is concerned; these companies make profits in addition to the individuals who own and work for them, so why should they not pay taxes, as well? This is a far cry from considering them actual persons, with brains and mouths with which to formulate and voice thoughts and opinions. It boggles the mind that any rational person would consider this notion for even one moment.
But, it is done. If you have any doubt that marketing and propaganda can sway an election, witness the recent victory of Scott Brown. Money talks, and people listen, even when what is being said is ludicrous. As Doug Kendall, founder of Constitutional Accountability Center wrote in an editorial back in September of 2009, the record-breaking fundraising coup by Barack Obama in the last presidential election would be nothing against the money that a company like Exxon Mobil could muster. The ability to shout down even the most popular candidate is a powerful tool, and they will make the most of it.
At least, I suppose, there is a bright side. Now, any one of us, not just the wealthy, can run for public office. A candidate only need to present his or herself to any number of fat cat corporate entities and determine what they need to say in order to have their journey to public service financed. Every elected official will be no more than a corporate mouthpiece, forcing big business' agendas down our throats in the form of new legislation. Who would have thought that the body whose charge it is to interpret and uphold the law of the land would be the very instrument that the rich and powerful would use to obstruct this democracy?
Of course, the Supreme Court itself is more to blame. Its responsibility is to interpret and uphold the Constitution, not backpedal on its own decisions when faced with spurious legal babble presented by corporate lackeys. I can understand the latter trying anything to get the case decided in favor of big money, even proffering an idea as ridiculous as the concept of a corporate entity being equal to a human being and thereby capable of free speech. But where, I wonder, did the Court find in our founding document that very definition?
Apparently, these behemoths of industry will now enjoy all the rights and protections of citizens. The Court would have us believe that the framers intended to have "corporations", a term and concept not heard of at the time, on an equal footing with persons. Certainly, corporations are considered "entities" as far as tax law is concerned; these companies make profits in addition to the individuals who own and work for them, so why should they not pay taxes, as well? This is a far cry from considering them actual persons, with brains and mouths with which to formulate and voice thoughts and opinions. It boggles the mind that any rational person would consider this notion for even one moment.
But, it is done. If you have any doubt that marketing and propaganda can sway an election, witness the recent victory of Scott Brown. Money talks, and people listen, even when what is being said is ludicrous. As Doug Kendall, founder of Constitutional Accountability Center wrote in an editorial back in September of 2009, the record-breaking fundraising coup by Barack Obama in the last presidential election would be nothing against the money that a company like Exxon Mobil could muster. The ability to shout down even the most popular candidate is a powerful tool, and they will make the most of it.
At least, I suppose, there is a bright side. Now, any one of us, not just the wealthy, can run for public office. A candidate only need to present his or herself to any number of fat cat corporate entities and determine what they need to say in order to have their journey to public service financed. Every elected official will be no more than a corporate mouthpiece, forcing big business' agendas down our throats in the form of new legislation. Who would have thought that the body whose charge it is to interpret and uphold the law of the land would be the very instrument that the rich and powerful would use to obstruct this democracy?
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