Lawmakers from the plucky little state of Vermont have begun the process of removing the right of personhood from corporate entities. This resolution, once it passes, will strike a significant blow against corporations across the state and will help drive forward the anti-corporatist agenda in America.
Corporations, in their modern form, wield so much influence over the political landscape that they can effectively undermine democracy.
For example, under the Citizens United ruling, corporations can use their status as a ‘person’ to fund – without limit – independent broadcasts for election campaigns. This means corporations can spend as much as they want on commercials to promote their ideal candidate, or they can drag the name of anyone with an opposing viewpoint through the mud.
Democracy is supposed to reflect the will of the people, not the will of powerful business entities. When politicians and lawmakers serve as shills to corporate interests, we run into a situation Honest Abraham Lincoln warned us about:
“Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.”
For the sake of democracy around the world and the freedom of humankind, it is imperative that we actively work to keep corporations on a short leash today.
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Tags: corporation, democracy, equal, people, person, power, rights
