8 Words That Could Save Our Country

[Joanne98]

"Corporations are not people. Money is not speech." These are fundamental truths that our nation needs to remember -- and add to the Constitution.

May 1, 2010


A rogue Supreme Court seems hellbent on establishing a corporate oligarchy. Congress can’t stop it. Every time Congress or state legislatures tries to curb the power of billionaires or mega corporations the Court slaps them down.

Citizens United v. FEC, the recent Supreme Court decision that allowed corporations to spend unlimited sums of money to influence elections is only the most recent step in this process. There will be more. But the shocking decision may be sufficient to galvanize a political movement that can change the rules and ensure our democracy.

We can save our country by adding eight words to the fundamental law of the land, the US Constitution. "Corporations are not persons." "Money is not speech."

Such a development is not without precedent. Once before a political movement has changed the Constitution to nurture democracy. The populist uprising of the late 20th century led to the passage, in rapid succession of the 16th Amendment in 1913 that allowed for an income tax, the 17th Amendment, ratified the same year that required the direct election of Senators and in 1920 the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote.

http://www.alternet.org/vision/146664/8_words_that_could_save_our_country

[KILL THE WISE ONE]

1. no shit could not agree more

[yurbud]

2. k & r

[Judi Lynn]

3. Absolutely necessary. Thank you, Joanne98. n/t

[Enthusiast]

4. I am so in agreement! nt

[lib_wit_it]

5. We will need to start our own beverage party to get this message across. If you're not a tea-bagger,

no one seems to listen anymore.

[meow2u3]

6. 9 words can save our nation, not just 8

One person, one vote--NOT one dollar, one vote!

[Stumbler]

7. A-yup. I fully agree

[sulphurdunn]

8. In any test of political strength

Congress is more powerful than the courts, the corporations or the Executive. Congress exercises that power in the interests of those who bankroll it. Congress is the bulwark of the status quo. In a populist struggle of generations, Congress might reluctantly make some tepid and easily circumventable restrictions on corporate power, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[zeemike]

9. I 100 percent agree with that.

Until we face that problem not much will change.

[NBachers]

10. So where's my constitutionally guaranteed free money?

[bluestateboomer]

11. K & R n/t

[MsLeopard]

12. K&R

Completely agree - :kick:

[DissedByBush]

13. I have to bend a bit on money is speech

Often, money is the only way to exercise your speech, especially in certain necessary forums. If you regulate money, you regulate speech.

What if "money is not speech" were applied here?

Our donations to DU would be regulated as partisan donations.

What we pay for Internet access could be regulated.

Any speech aside from basic talking could be subject to regulation by controlling the money needed to publish in the medium.

It is a dangerous road to go down.