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New Rule: “One Corporation, Lots of Votes”


Dear Democracy,

We wish we could afford better flowers, but times are tough for most of us.

Now that the Supreme Court has accorded corporations the status of “individuals with free speech,” they have the clout to determine who represents us, and we know that it is not “us” who will be heard. You were a grand experiment, and we are deeply mourning the loss.

“One person, one vote” died with you. We will miss you more than words can say.

Love,

The American People

  • felizarte

    A sad day indeed, Pat.  The picture you drew is the equivalent of a thousand tears.

  • sandshark222

    It’s sad but I’d go a step farther and say democracy died in November 08 when acorn and thugs helped steal a national election. Or in spring of 08 when they pushed Obama on us even though Hillary really won the primaries. Sigh.

  • WestVirginia304

    I am going to make a couple of comments on this.  I don’t like big business and unions exerting vast power in politics, but later I will debate that.  The first thing tho is THIS HELPS THE DEMOCRATS!

    From the Boston Globe today:
    http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2010/01/supreme_court_e.html

    Industries with political business in Washington — and that’s pretty much all of them — tend to give campaign contributions to the party in power, even when they don’t necessarily agree with that party’s agenda.

    ..some company executives might not like certain members of Congress, they may be skittish about taking a direct shot at someone who might get elected (or re-elected)..

    Financial, real estate and insurance industry PACs and employees have directed 58 percent of their contributions in the 2010 election cycle to Democratic candidates and committees, compared to 42 percent for Republicans

    Health care PACs and individuals in the business gave 59 percent of their donations to Democrats this election cycle, and 41 percent to the GOP. 

    Even “miscellaneous business” group,s, such as business associations, have directed 57 percent of their donations to Democrat in this cycle so far, compared to 43 percent for Republicans.

    And from labor unions — which also will be allowed to spend unlimited money to advocate for a candidate — Democrats run the table, collecting 93 percent of donation so far this election cycle,

  • morris1030

    This is really a nail in the coffin.

  • oowawa

    I was watching FOX today and some Republican, Mitch McConnell I think, asked (paraphrasing) why we should complain about corporations buying ads when we allow the media giants to broadcast such a huge amount of pure propaganda and editorially biased “news.”  I thought he had a point though I’ve always been against the notion of corporate advertising for political causes.

  • WestVirginia304

    ..the other side.
    BTW, Pat.  Great Toon!

    And now an argument in favor of the court’s decision.  The existing law WAS unconstitutional.  It needed to be overturned.

    Read this from the WSJ

    Keep in mind that McGraw-Hill, Bantham, ect. are corporations.

    In last year’s oral argument for Citizen’s United, the Court got a preview of how far a ban on corporate-funded speech could reach. Deputy Solicitor General Malcolm Stewart explained that, under McCain-Feingold, the government had the authority to “prohibit the publication” of corporate-funded books that called for the election or defeat of a candidate.

    Books that we like (and dislike) here at NQ could be taken off of our Amazon column to the right, during election years.

    That was a shock and awe moment at the Court, as it also should have been to a Washington press corps that has too often been a cheerleader for campaign-spending limits. Mr. Stewart was telling a truth already familiar to campaign-finance lawyers and the speech police at the Federal Election Commission. Former FEC Commissioner Hans von Spakovsky recalled yesterday that in 2004 the agency investigated whether a book written by George Soros critical of George W. Bush violated campaign laws. Liberals as much as conservatives should worry about laws that allow such investigations.

    We did not like union workers getting a 40% tax break under the Health Care Bill and offering certain rights to some selected companies is not quite fair.

    The Court’s opinion is especially effective in dismantling McCain-Feingold’s arbitrary exemption for media corporations. Thus a corporation that owns a newspaper—News Corp. or the New York Times—retains its First Amendment right to speak freely. “At the same time, some other corporation, with an identical business interest but no media outlet in its ownership structure, would be forbidden to speak or inform the public about the same issue,” wrote Justice Kennedy. “This differential treatment cannot be squared with the First Amendment.”

  • Woman Voter

    Pat,

    How true and how lamentable to see Democracy die with most politicians clapping in delight and none of them holding a press conference to announce an amendment to protect the Rights of the Voters.  One Person One Vote is a thing of the past, as today the CORPORATIONS rule and have all the advantage. :(

  • WestVirginia304

    Woman.  I agree.  The McF bill had arbitrary holes and most people always knew it.  That is why it was not enforced as written.  But why have a bill that the FEC won’t enforce?  This will take some thought and, if congress would just slow down its pace on every issue before them and put some effort and bi-party thinking into it, they could craft a sound bill that takes this “personhood” status away from everything that does not breathe.

  • oowawa

    Good points.  Logic is not really in my skill set, but for example I can imagine the following conflict.  General Electric owns MSNBC.  GE might have a vested interest in seeing Cap N Trade promoted.  They might use their broadcast facilities to promulgate Cap N Trade.  Another corporation might be hurt by Cap N Trade, but would not have the same opportunity to voice their objections because they do not own any media.  Exempting media corporations under McCain-Feingold would therefore be unfair.  Whew–that wasn’t easy . . .

  • AC

    The “Bill of Rights” was written to apply to “The People”  corporations are a legal fiction, ie fictitious people and in my opinion are not real people.

    Oh Well…….

  • donjo

    How about when the latest 2 right wing corporate lackeys were added to the Supreme Court by the Bush admin?

  • Docelder

    Bush. LMAO.

  • WestVirginia304

    AC.  Here is where my head explodes.  Freedom of the Press.  The press is owned by corporations.  And, as oowawa says above, it gets down-right hard to figure out the right answer to this situation. 

  • Sassy

    Great work Pat, but I’m leaning to the right on this one.
    We just had a presidential candidate spend one billion dollars in an election, and much of it was corporate money.
    My understanding of this ruling is that money does not got to campaigns, but is used to advance the position of the spender.
    At least consumers will know the source, as opposed to the under-the-table system we have now.

  • Anonymous

    Didn’t the Dem vote for them? Obama really was impressed with Roberts, and refused to go along with the boycott of him by other Dems. Obama said that a president should be able to pick the one he wanted.

    Too bad we Dem voters weren’t able to pick our candidate fairly.

  • Tricia

    But, at least with media (including books) there is some transparency.  We know who they are and what they tend to do.  Corporations will hide.

  • Docelder

    Well, they voted to go to war also. But nobody wants to recall that either.

  • CB

    Because six corporations control most of our news media. They already are the deciders.
     
    In 2004, six huge corps–Time Warner, Disney (ABC), Murdoch’s News Corp. , Bertelsmann of German, Viacom (formerly CBS), and General Electric (NBC).
     
    GE sold NBC to Viacom.

  • Stan Davis

    I understand the constitutional problem and rationale, but there is much confusion to be clarified.  As CNN’s Jeff Toobin pointed out today, what about American subsidiaries of wholly owned foreign companies?  Think Honda, Toyota, Annheuser Busch.  Is the notion of keeping foreign money out of our politics also dead?  Could China stop sales of Ford vehicles because of its politics and promote G.M.’s vehicles?

    The whole mess begs for a remedy, which may ultimately require a Constitutional amendment.

    Stan Davis
    Lakewood, CO

  • Yttik

    I wonder if there aren’t benefits to this decision? I mean, we all know corporations simply use back doors to purchase themselves a politician anyway. Now when somebody is bought and paid for it will be obvious by the logo they’re wearing. Senator so and so brought to you by Goldman Sachs.

    Also documentaries like Farenheit 911 may have been banned during an election year under this rule. I think MM’s film would qualify as an anti Bush film. What happens to the doucmentaries designed to inform the public if this law had stood up? Would they have only been able to be made if they only accepted private funding?

    And lastly, it’s kind of ironic having Democrats, liberals, all upset because McCain’s baby was just shot down by the SC. Geesh, if you liked his campaign reform ideas, why didn’t people support him?

  • felizarte

    You raised good points, Oww, and Pat, as voters, I guess all we can do now is never to sell our vote or at least not be misled by those 15 and 30 second spots or their full-feature docu-cons.  Let the giants duke it out and we still get to cast our vote–assuming of course, that those machines are really owned by the people, and not some other corporation playing the manchurian winner-maker.

  • Jazzman

    So much for tea parties…… 

  • WestVirginia304

    But do we always know who they are?  Years ago I met the head of the History Channel.  He was a Bush supporter and then I noticed that they were showing all these great “America Saves the World with War Machines” movies on his little network.

    Stan Davis below comments on alien companies owning media in the U.S.  Sony comes to mind also.  But a 1989 story comes to mind.  Japanese companies did not like how much attention was given to Pearl Harbor after the 1988 elections and sent word that they would not advertise on stations that aired WWII movies.  Almost all complied and made Pearl Harbor movies go poof.  Ted Turner, by the way, did not.  He ran Tora Tora 24hrs on Dec 7, 1989.

    What I am saying is corporations find a way to control their message, whether they buy book publishers, movie studios, networks, newspapers, magazines and websites.

  • AC

    Yes it does read “…freedom of the press…”  but the First Amendment specifically gave the “press” as an institution this protection.  If they wanted to give this protection to corporations they would have treated it as “the press” by saying it specifically.

    Corporations were not created until later as “fictions persons”  if the founder’s wanted this protection to non real persons it would say it.

    As an example; if they wanted Oil Corporations to have this protection they would have specified it as they did “the press” because newspapers held a special place for the dissemination of information (speech).

    However, what do I know.  Just having a little fun.

  • Pat Racimora

    Yttik–Yes, that is our only hope that enough people will take notice as to who paid for whom and resist. 

  • candymarl

    Yttik: Why didn’t McCain’s “baby” pass? Because the fix was in. Just as there was no way Hilllary would get the Dem nod at the convention McCain was the Bob Dole of this election. The only difference is that he didn’t lose by as wide a margin as Dole.

    When Bush “won” 51% to 49%” everyone said he didn’t have a mandate. Obama won by the same margin yet his opponent is a loser with no support?

    After all we know that madams  pimp out their daughters (see Hillary) when other candidates have their adult daughters campaigning but are not accused of the same. That’s if they’re not painted as wh*res,  c*nts, or b*tches (see roundtable discussion by pundits on national TV discussing whether or not Hillary was a b*tch) I was appalled but not a peep from so-called Democrats, Progressives, or Liberals.

    I’m more concerned with The Sumpreme Court affirming corporate “personhood”.  Now Corporate America has free reign over elections and everyone knows it.

    Some of us have been around for a good long while and we’ve never seen anything like this. But I guess it’s okay as long as it benefits the party in power. The Democrats promised to be different and listen to the will of the People of the Untied States of America unlike the GWB bunch. Not so much I guess now. 

  • Steve1

    Yes, I agree-WTF is the Supreme Court thinking???  Major Corporations already control our political system??  Ok, lets see how these pricks in both parties handle this?  Like I said both parties are corrupted, its time for a major change…..”lets see how they handle this ruling by the Supreme Court?  How can a fifthy, engorged multinational corporation deserve the constitutional rights of a citizen of our republic?  Want to bet Congress and both corrupted parties will do nothing!  Its time for a major overhaul of our political system>  A third party?  Vote for representatives  who going to serve the people?  Suggestions?

  • AC

    Candymarl,
    Good point on the person-hood but as much as they want us to believe it, I’m not sure they ever really said corporations are people.

    They have said that they (corporations) would be teated as “fictitious persons” whatever that means.

    In essence I agree with what you think.
    In order to really get into this it could take a substantial amount of research as well as thought.

    But, I also don’t like it and think they got it wrong.

  • Docelder

    Third party of second revolution whichever comes first. I think a third party could be formed as a superset from the other two parties to begin with. The third party would set a platform and promote candidates from either party that followed. Eventually, once established the third party could break free.

  • Docelder

    Third party or second revolution whichever comes first. I think a third party could be formed as a superset from the other two parties to begin with. The third party would set a platform and promote candidates from either party that followed. Eventually, once established the third party could break free.

  • lark

    I have no idea what I am talking about but I guess is time to choose your corporation. Second, any way, a lot of the security workings in our country and abroad is made possible by corporations too. And since freedom of speech is restricted pretty much to chatting about incidentals but not so much as speaking for your rights or exercising them, since we are being watch at every corner now – to be manipulated by the will of the traffic officer, then the deal will have to be to ally oneself with some corporation that can speak for us – like a Passenger Dignity Corporation.

    Anyway, maybe a group of corporations can make possible a third party.

    Boy I really don’t know what I am talking about.

  • Jazzman

    Democracy is a process by which people are free to choose the man who will get the blame. (Laurence J. Peter)

    Like I said anyone who took the office after Bush and Chaney gone done with it was just asking for a butt kicking….And I don’t care who it was going to be..Clinton, McCain, Obama….they were going to get the blame….

  • oowawa

    Well, you could sure fool me!  I like the idea of a Passenger Dignity Corporation–might be able to help with gestapo tactics when we’re trying to check onto an airplane . . .

  • FLDemFem

    Yeah, but when his advisors told him that it wouldn’t look good when he ran for President, he voted against Roberts. Self-interest trumps all for Obama.

  • candymarl

     AC what the heck are a fictious persons? I am not a scholar but I think that defines people that don’t exist. Like a made-up character in a novel, play, or script. Yet they have the same rights as a living, breathing, human being? That makes no sense.

    This is the ruling by our best and brightest legal minds? We are so screwed.

  • FLDemFem

    The first two words that popped into my head after I read the original news story were, “Max Headroom”. If you haven’t seen it, you should. Take a look and see what the world looks like when it’s controlled by corporations. You can see them here..

  • FLDemFem

    They didn’t have oil corporations in Colonial days. They had corporations, mostly for trade and exploration, like the East India Company, and various sales and trade corporations for wool, sugar, cotton, tobacco and other products. But there was no reason to suppose that anyone would be foolish enough to equate a company, or corporation, with a human being. The Founding Fathers knew that a company was not a person, no matter how big it was. That’s why the Constitution specifies persons, press, etc. rather than referring to the companies that may own the newspapers, or employ the people. The Founding Fathers were smart enough to know that an employer can put unreasonable pressure on their employees if the companies were given political rights as entities in their own right. It’s too bad the Supreme Court didn’t think of that.

  • TeakWoodKite

    Money is not speech. All the propaganda in the world won’t feed my family. A well educated voting public can make a difference.

    You can bet K street rents just went up 10%
    Soros must be happy as a clam at high tide about it.
     I have yet to read the opinion of the Court, but as a practical matter money isn’t the problem. It’s the people using it.
    Considering that this country elected BO Industies Inc. wth the law in place, what difference will “unlimited” cash going to make?
    What do think is important is knowing where the money comes from and who is behind it. Similar to ACORN having a “House in New Orelans”, I do not think that freedom of speech (with money) can be coupled with any “privacy”.

    Slightly OT but SOS Clinton gave a speech on “Internet Freedom” Thursday that is relevent to you point. There many pressure points exposed to manipulation in the 21st century.

  • AC

    candymarl,

    I think you got it!  See, all it takes is common sense.

  • Rabble Rouser Rev. Amy

    Thank you so much for this, Pat – it is a shocking decision, for sure.  It is just hard to believe where we are now…

  • Rich

    The cartoon is too cute for such a serious issue. 
     
    When did an artificial entity become a real person under the constitution with all of the rights of a real person, but still not all of the liability and consequences that a real person can suffer?  This is an example that secret organizations like Skull and Bones are alive and well and running the country.  The only good thing that might come out of this is that now corporations and other large organizations instead of working behind the scene by giving large sums of money directly to candidates in secret to influence them or by hiring truckloads of lobbyists who tell our supposedly elected official what to do, without our knowing who they are, since they no longer have to do their work out of sight of public scrutiny will become more visible, including by the kinds of advertising they do so we will know who they are. Talk about looking for the pony in the s- – t pile.
     
    Rich

  • jbjd

    So many great comments on this post!  Now, I have to READ the decision, to give (R3A) my 2-cents’ worth.

  • donjo

    Corps treated as individuals became a law yesterday. Due to some mis-representing of a judges opinion many decdes ago, it was just assumed and no one really bothered to challenge it.  I wonder if this thinking also makes corps liable to be treated as individuals and, for their crimes, sentenced to death, jailed, and otherwise harassed by the police. AND since more corps today are trans-national, I also would like to know how they get around the law that says foreigners cannot participate in our elections.  I think there’s a few jailed that got convicted of contributing to Hillary’s campaign – and probably a lot more that got away with it.

  • WestVirginia304

    Rich.  I think the toon is quite on target.

    When did and artificial entity become a real person?

    When that entity could be prosecuted like an individual.  We streached the boundaries when we found it easier to go after companies in criminal complaints than it was to pierce the corproate shield to get to the owners.  We created this problem by incrementally treating corporations as people.  We gave them the right, as a collection of individuals, to own copyrights.  We gave them the right to defend themselves in our courts – that were set up for people.  We did this.

    We can fix this.  I am not a fan of any politician.  I think Ron Paul speaks truth and I think that Dennis (forgive my spelling) Kusinich does also.  

    This sp decision is not left or right.  Should Soros be shut up?  Shoudl GE be shut up?  Who should be shut up?

    I do not know the answer to that question.  

  • WestVirginia304

    The difference between what people want and what is legal is jot always aligned. 

  • Amarissa

    Not on the same subject, but listen to what Obi said about seniors in today’s Ohio’s town-hall!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xw9rs-ClsQ

  • WestVirginia304

    A bunch of Obama’s money came from alien countries.  The FEC was asleep in 2008.  They sleep now.

  • helenk

    can we make a law that all congress critters have to wear shirts reading
    ” owned and operated by” they can put in the corp name with marker depending who is giving them orders on what bill.
    After all this is a transparent government.

    WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

    PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

  • Jazzman

    “A well educated voting public can make a difference.  ”

    One day…one day….but we will be considered an archaeological find when that happens…..

  • don X

    Your toon makes an elegant statement, Pat.

    With a 5 to 4 decision, there was obvious disagreement among the judges.  it could have gone the other way with a different mix on the bench.  Congress can legislate a different result if there is sufficient public pressure on them to take action.   Then the Court can rule on the constitutionality of a new law if a case is brought before them.  The issue may not be settled yet.  Time will tell and we can see how the effects of the decision play out.

  • TeakWoodKite

    Loves me some C-SPAN transpaency. LOL

  • Olivia1998

    I don’t understand the big howl.  George Soros and unions have been donating for years.  That money is endless.  Where is the outrage at them

  • TeakWoodKite

    yea but…Who (or what) will be doing the dig, I wonder. LOL

  • Kathleen Wynne

    Here’s a link that gives some historical background when corporations were granted “personhood”, which was in the late 1800′s by a legally dubious Supreme Court procedure, and ironically based on the 14th Amendment intended to free the slaves:

    http://ourpla.net/cgi/pikie?CorporatePersonhood

  • karen for Clinton

    Thanks Pat, you always put an image to what we are thinking!

    Yep, we felt this way in winter of 1999 and again all through 2008.  

    From the early primaries up until recently the general news services (Yahoo and Google news, My Way, AP, Reuters) all leaned towards stories which outright idolized BO and always had pics with halo and light shining from above, type crap.

    This morning I clicked on a pic of This One and it was anything but flattering – sickly, puffy red eyes, blue lips and scowl.

    http://apnews.myway.com/image/20100122/Obama_Economy.sff_OHCD148_20100122234137.html?date=20100123&docid=D9DDDUKO0

    Maybe Mechelle found out ob is a baby-daddy too, just like his partner in crime Edwards.

  • getfitnow

    Yep, he sure did. I can remember if it was Roberts or Alito, but the dems were talking about a fillibuster. BO was for it before he was against it. Apparentsly adviser thouught it would not be a good move if he ran for POTUS.  See, everything is politics.  

  • getfitnow

    I don’t know. That was then. BO has alienated business like no other, imo.

    Congress has officially become a whore house.

  • getfitnow

    Despite all the evidence that was available–NQ did a fantastic job of informing–most people think BO’s campaign was financed by small internet donations.

    Remember how quick he was to renege on accepting public financing?

  • getfitnow

    The msm was asleep or complicit.

  • getfitnow

    Why was he yelling?

  • getfitnow

    Yeah, like the race car drivers.

  • getfitnow

    BINGO!

  • HARP

    Since  the health care industry donated the most to Democrats, this should please the netroots.

  • Olivia1998

    Your right on Harp.  Two sets of rules

  • Ferd Berfle

    Equating money with free speech means that some will have more speech than others. I don’t recall unions and corporations being the ”we” in “We, the People”. If this sort of ruling is going to be the norm, then the Constitution will become just a collection of words to be spun to serve whatever agenda is in vogue.

  • Sassy

    If companies are going to operate in this country, therefore creating jobs, they will expect a voice in government.
    That has always been the case, but much of the democratic agenda now is to solicit their money and then pass contrary legislation(except earmarks).
    There will not be a flood of money unleashed, for stock holders will hold companies accountable.
    All the uproar is because republicans can now use the same methods as democratic unions and Move-On.

  • Ferd Berfle

    It all goes back to fundamental definitions. A corporation and a union are not an “individuals” in any dictionary I can find. Proper use of the English language is rapidly becoming a lost discipline, perhaps as a side-effect of our zeal to *improve* education or, more to the point, pull the wool over the collective eyes of the American public. I have an idea, let’s start with the English language and renew its teaching in schools.

  • Sassy

    The Cap and Trade legislation, for example, is predicted to costs large numbers of jobs and raise energy prices, which fall directly on the backs of the public.
    Think you can fight city hall?

  • Ferd Berfle

    “If companies are going to operate in this country, therefore creating jobs, they will expect a voice in government.”
     
    Corporations are collections of indiciduals and do have a say. Now, though, those who are part of the corporation have more than one say. Unions are also collections of individuals who have a say as individuals.

    The premise is flawed and the argument moot. Corporations and unions are not the individuals envisioned by our founders.

    No matter how thinly one slices bovine excrement, it is still bullshit.

  • Ferd Berfle

    “If companies are going to operate in this country, therefore creating jobs, they will expect a voice in government.”
     
    Corporations are collections of individuals and do have a say. Now, though, those who are part of the corporation have more than one say. Unions are also collections of individuals who have a say as individuals.

    The premise is flawed and the argument moot. Corporations and unions are not the individuals envisioned by our founders. The ruling is wrong on its face.

    No matter how thinly one slices bovine excrement, it is still bullshit.

  • mountainaires

    Here’s what hope will eventually become the end result of this:

    Corporations Push Public Financing
     
    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/23/us/politics/23letter.html?th&emc=th

  • lark

    Obama rebelled against the this SCOTUS ruling so that he can look ‘populous.’ Is he ethically able to rebel against a SCOTUS ruling? He is the President, isn’t he? He is sworn to uphold the Constitutional system, isn’t he? Can that rebellion and his instructions to Administration to devise ways to defeat the law an impeachable offense? Maybe not, but it sures looks like.

  • lark

    My personal understanding of a corporation is that it is treated as an individual by the law – and in that way it shields and protects its shareholders. But any law breaking done by the corporation is ascribed to the individual in the corporation who actually broke the law – and not any others.

  • Ferd Berfle

    I’m all for arguing a policy on its merits. But when you start redefining words to win the argument, everyone loses.

  • Anonymous

    to bad as DEMS we were so friggen STUPEEEEEEEEE!!!

    proud to now be an INDEPENDENT again (screw partisan hacks forever)

  • Ladydawnelle

    stupee YES indeed!

  • Katmoon

    Here is a good reference page regarding many aspects of this issue, including previous cases:http://www.campaignlegalcenter.org/reference.html

    As usual what is being abused is the definition of “Corporation” and how it applies, which is inconcistent with previous case law. This court appearing to be renegade in its multiple defining of what a corporation is. This issue is far from over, as I believe there will be many suits filed due to this loose interpretation of the very term.

  • Ferd Berfle

    But that defies the definition of both individual and corporation. Words have meaning and are necessary for complete, unfettered, and coherent communication. This ruling violates that fundamental (and non-legal) requirement for the exchange of information.

  • Katmoon

    I agree Donjo, yet I forsee a chink in their supposed armor; there will be some civil case where the Corporation will be held to this definition and will lose large, causing a move toward others doing the same.
    Holding to this ancient definition would be the same as applying the term “Transportation” to standards of the late 19th century. If that is the case we only need to worry over horse poop on the roadways, not environmental issues caused by internal combustion engines. Or perhaps, Corporations will also be able to get the Death Penalty now, since they are considered individuals in their acts, criminal or otherwise.

  • creeper

    “Obama said that a president should be able to pick the one he wanted.”

    Evidently the crack “constitutional scholar” missed the part about confirmation by the Congress.

    Of course, debating Roberts’ nomination seriously would’ve required that Barry do some work.  We all know what he would’ve said to that.  “Can’t I just vote “present”?

  • creeper

    Bingo!  They can try to buy our votes but we don’t have to sell them.

  • Juliezzz

    Ok, Let’s get something straight.  Democracy is ruling by mob vote.  (Majority says what goes regardless of individual rights).  Republic is ruling by law (Equal protection under the law).  The founders knew full well the differences between a Republic and a Democracy and they repeatedly and emphatically said that they had founded a republic.  
    The word Democracy is not mentioned even once in the Constitution.  This is NOT a parsing of the words but a fundamental diffference in ideas of how to govern.  We have lost our way as a country and until we get back to the original genius of the constitution we are doomed to erode our rights into oblivion.   I don’t know about you, but I pledge allegiance to the Republic, not the Democracy.
    So, If Democracy is dead…..then GOOD!

  • Kathleen Wynne

    gitfit,

    The MSM is owned by corporations, so, I’d bet they were complicit.

  • Ferd Berfle

    Ahem, Julliezzz, the mob does rule. The neocon mob was just replaced by the progressive mob due to voting by the mob represented by the electorate.

    This is a Constitutional Republic by being run by a (the) mob.

  • bayareavoter

    Great image Pat. Too sad and too true. Until we take money OUT of politics we will never have real democracy in this country.

    Meg Whitman, who I will never vote for having watched her ruin ebay, has already put $39 million of her own money in her primary campaign for Governor of CA but won’t meet with press or be interviewed, and is leading in the polls. Disgusting.

  • Juliezzz

    I don’t disagree that we are under a tyranny of two tyrannical Mobs.  I only disagree with the above picture showing Democracy as Dead.  On the contrary, I feel we are witnessing the death of the Republic.  

    But I think the electorate isn’t given real choice in these elections.  We are given rotten with milk vs rotten chocolate milk.  It’s rotten regardless and not too much real difference in unconstitutional behavior.

    I feel we are in need of a third party.  Much like when Lincoln ran for Prez.  The Whig party split in two because of slavery and the part that split off became Republicans. Lincoln won as a new Republican. I think it’s time members of both parties split off to form a viable third.  If we don’t, we are truly doomed to live in tyranny

  • Juliezzz

    I don’t disagree that we are under a tyranny of two tyrannical Mobs.  I only disagree with the above picture showing Democracy as Dead.  On the contrary, I feel we are witnessing the death of the Republic.    
     
    But I think the electorate isn’t given real choice in these elections.  We are given rotten with milk vs rotten chocolate milk.  It’s rotten regardless and not too much real difference in unconstitutional behavior.  
     
    I feel we are in need of a third party.  Much like when Lincoln ran for Prez.  The Whig party split in two because of slavery and the part that split off became Republicans. Lincoln won as a new Republican. I think it’s time members of both parties split off to form a viable third.  If we don’t, we are truly doomed to live in tyranny

  • Juliezzz

    I don’t disagree that we are under a tyranny of two tyrannical Mobs.  I only disagree with the above picture showing Democracy as Dead.  On the contrary, I feel we are witnessing the death of the Republic.    
     
    But I think the electorate isn’t given real choice in these elections.  We are given rotten white milk vs rotten chocolate milk.  It’s rotten regardless and not too much real difference in unconstitutional behavior.  
     
    I feel we are in need of a third party.  Much like when Lincoln ran for Prez.  The Whig party split in two because of slavery and the part that split off became Republicans. Lincoln won as a new Republican. I think it’s time members of both parties split off to form a viable third.  If we don’t, we are truly doomed to live in tyranny

  • Katmoon

    Agree: Independent thinkers, Independent votes. If they can’t nail you down, they cannot pander to you, nor buy you.

  • Ferd Berfle

    I agree, Juliezzz. But until the electorate demands real choice, they will get none. The people still have the power, if only they would use it. That requires that people ignore wedge issues, ignore style and format, and focus on content and substance. Had that happened during the last election cycle, we wouldn’t be in the mess we find ourselves in currently.

    I won’t hold my breath, though, waiting for an epiphany on the part of the herd, as they just follow the “bull”.

  • Guest

    It boggles the mind how a decision overturning the TWO DECADES OLD ruling upholding restrictions on corporate spending could possibly be seen as the ‘death of democracy’ ??? What kind of world were we living in before that ?

    It’s still illegal for corporations to donate money directly to federal election candidates…

    If you’re not smart enough to watch campaign commercials and take them for what they are, maybe you should think twice about voting.

  • AC

    As usual he didn’t answer the question of why congress gave themselves a raise and Social Security did not have a Cost of Living Adjustment.  But he did get cute with the diaper and voting quips.  What a jerk to make light of a serious subject.  What irks me is that people laughed–they should have booed.

  • AC

    Juliezz, Ditto
    Even the Greeks-who invented the word determined it not to be a good form of government simply because it could become a tyranny of the masses.

  • AC

    Juliezz, you make a very valid point and as much as I like Pat’s artwork it should be the “The Republic” and not “Democracy”.

    “I pledge allegiance…and to the Republic for which it stands…” 

    Maybe as you and Ferd somewhere on this page referenced the meaning of words-we should hold true to the founding intent.

  • Sassy

    It might be a good time to open the archives to see WHO bought BO, Dodd, Franks, Rangel, etc…………..!
    I’m innocent!

  • AC

    Administrator, it is difficult to follow the placement of these comments. Much better the old (founding) way.

    Still enamored with this site, so lets tweak this–we can do better!

  • Andy

    Exactly, well said ‘Guest’.

  • AC

    That would be a Century not two decades–who’s smart now.

  • Katmoon

    AC=Animal Control? Thought maybe you changedyour name while I was gone. :-D

  • Pat Racimora

    On Jim Leher last night, Mark Shields (who I always enjoy) said that this was the most treacherous Supreme Court decision in his lifetime. 

    Another point made (maybe by Brooks) was that corporations will use their newfound muscle to destroy small businesses because they don’t like any competition. 

  • Pat Racimora

    Ouch–great comment Ferd!

  • Pat Racimora

    Please watch the Jim Leher “Brooks and Shields” segment and other Public Broadcasting stations that have weighed in.  You will see the death of democracy told better than I ever could.

  • Juliezzz

    Ferd I think it takes you and I and everyone of like mind to wake the sleeping giant that we all are apart of.  People are already getting awake and agitated….thus the tea parties and Elect of Scott Brown.  However, we need more and more awake.  We act like children we will be treated like children.  We act like sheep, we will be treated like sheep.

  • Juliezzz

    I think holding true to the founding intent is paramount to our survival.  That’s my true oppinion. 

    Look up the Contenental Congress of 2009.  That’s what that whole thing was all about

  • Pat Racimora

    Hi AC–my toon was in the spirit of democracy as defined here:

    the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

    As many have stated here, if we would only use it we the people do have the power to take back what is going wrong.  But money is so critical in getting a candidate’s platform out there (and social persuasion techniques are so damn effective) that the one with the most money (or should I say “backers with agendas”) will rule the day.  That messes bigtime with the definitions above, rendering them impotent.

  • Guest

    OK, will take a listen. Thanks for the heads up. :) It should be obvious to every person with half of a brain, a corporation is not a person and therefore, it is not entitled to the same rights as an individualsbut by the same token the Supreme Court has already held in decisions going back decades that the First Amendment does protect commercial speech by corporations.

  • AC

    Yes Katmoon I did change my alias.  Especially since I now have to retype it every time–it seemed easier.
    Moreover, since most here referred to me as AC–then why not.  I still know who I am.

    Thanks for asking

  • Ferd Berfle

    Yeah, I, too, liked the indentation of comments. Apparently the new system allows only one level of indent.

  • Linda Anselmi

    Powerful, Powerful Toon Pat!

  • Ferd Berfle

    “Another point made (maybe by Brooks) was that corporations will use their newfound muscle to destroy small businesses because they don’t like any competition.”

    Exactly and that will be able to happen because the large corporations have more “free speech” than small businesses, which in turn have more “free speech” than individuals.

    The 5 boneheads on the SC who came up with this monumentally stupid ruling should be impeached for cause or else forced to take remedial English until they get it right.

  • passing through

    In light of this discussion I thought I’d drop this link for a video that may help to add to your discussion

    Want to know what campaign finance reform is really about?
    Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Want-to-know-what-campaign-finance-reform-is-really-about-Watch-this-video-82443382.html#ixzz0dSWiUgr7

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeGlzEavpTM&feature=player_embedded

  • AC

    Katmoon,
    I should have written “nom de plume” to be more exact, make Ferd smile and give credence to Strunk’s “Elements of Style” i.e. plain English.  Oops French!

  • Katmoon

    Thanks, I thought so, as I recall you were always referred to as AC; 8-)

  • Ferd Berfle

    Commercial speech does not equal money, except in the loopy SC, where definitions are made up out of whole cloth, centuries of meaning via written definition (dictionaries) are ignored, and communication becomes a farce.

  • AC

    passing through,

    Appreciate the link, but you know, after listening to the video I came to the realization that these lawyers aren’t smart but SMART ALECS.

    What happened to common sense?  Thomas pain tried to warn us but we are so wrapped up in our own (no-one specifically) feeling of worth that we’ll interpret anything differently just to win a point (continue to argue).
    And in the process fuck ourselves.

    Making love is different than fucking. 

  • FLDemFem

    Well, there is an election coming up, make appropriate tee shirts and wear them to the Congresscritters’ rallies and events. Perhaps get some cheap magnetic signs with the names and logos of their corporate sponsors and stick them on the candidates’ cars so everyone can see who sponsors them. Have someone follow the car so they can retrieve the signs after the critter or his handlers fling them into the bushes. Then do it again at the next stop. And take pics of the car with logos, etc. before the handlers take them off. Then send them to all the media with the explanation that you believe in truth in advertising, especially in politics.

    If that happens around the country with multiple candidates, the message will get through. And the new Congresscritters will pay attention to it.

  • AC

    passing through,

    Appreciate the link, but you know, after listening to the video I came to the realization that these lawyers aren’t smart but SMART ALECS.

    What happened to common sense? Thomas Pain tried to warn us but we are so wrapped up in our own (no-one specifically) feeling of worth that we’ll interpret anything differently just to win a point (continue to argue). 
    And in the process fuck ourselves.
    Making love is different than fucking.

  • AC

    passing through,

    Appreciate the link, but you know, after listening to the video I came to the realization that these lawyers aren’t smart but SMART ALECS.

    What happened to common sense? Thomas Pain tried to warn us but we are so wrapped up in our own (no-one specifically) feeling of worth that we’ll interpret anything differently just to win a point (continue to argue).
    And in the process fuck ourselves.
    Making love is different than fucking.

    N.B. note I wrote “these lawyers”

  • AC

    Guest,
    How do you measure “half a brain” centimeters of by weight?

  • Juliezzz

    Pat, maybe it is that the words Democracy and Republic have been confused and interchanged haphazardly in the past and has made it difficult for us to understand what kind of government we have. From Vattel from “Law of Nations”
    § 3. Of the several kinds of government.

    If the body of the nation keep in its own hands the empire, or the right to command, it is a Popular government, a Democracy; if it intrust it to a certain number of citizens, to a senate, it establishes an Aristocratic republic; finally, if it confide the government to a single person, the state becomes a Monarchy. (11)

    So because we intrust a certain number of citizens to run a government which is bound by a constitution, we are a REPUBLIC and thank God we are.  If only we would hold the government to the laws of the Constitution we would soon right the ship

  • FLDemFem

    I don’t mind this format, in spite of the non-nesting comments. That can be addressed by simply stating the name of the person you are answering in your reply. And I don’t know about you, but I hated being stuck in the spam filter for hours and days. This format posts at once and that way one can actually have a decent discussion instead of wondering if the reply is ever going to post.

  • Ferd Berfle

    A Republic has its Achilles heel, though, as it represents rule by the few, becoming an oligarchy in reality if term limits are not imposed. Which system is the best is a matter of opinion and all have their drawbacks.

  • Ferd Berfle

    “And I don’t know about you, but I hated being stuck in the spam filter for hours and days.”

    As a former denizen of comment purgatory, I get the gist and there are workarounds to be sure, but I am hoping that as they work on the other issues including linking of comments on the right that they will also work on the structue of the comments.

  • AC

    Ferd you’re too smart for me (kidding) but consider that Republic means (I may not be up on my Latin) “The person is King”

    Have a good one

  • AC

    Ferd, just playing around.  I don’t know what the F it means but I do know some Italian so I took a guess. 8-)

  • Ferd Berfle

    Point taken, AC.

    You have a good one, too.

  • Guest

    It was unfair to restrict businesses from advocating their position. Unless your are talking to yourself or some friends, there is no such thing as free speech. The left previously had free reign. There will probably be so much advertising now, that the messages will drown themselves out. In Nevada, Harry Reid is buying every ad in sight. He’s still way down on the polls. I believe people can take in information and make up their own minds.

    Another point : Fairness requires that any entity from which government demands taxes must be allowed the free speech necessary to promote the candidates who they believe will act in their best interest. If these corporations or fictitious persons or whatever pay taxes, they should have the right to participate in the politiical process.

  • Ferd Berfle

    You miss the point, which is that unions and corporations are collections of individuals who already have free speech. Moreover, money is not speech by any stretch of the imagination. It is nonsense and gobbledegook.

  • Juliezzz

    I disagree.   I think that video brings up legitimate concerns on freedoms of speech and the slippery slope.  I do agree that there are huge problems currently regarding corporations. Currently, big business is totally in bed with big government to the point that you can even interchange the names of top government people and top business executives and it’s all the same. Right now, the whole system is out of wack and running wild.  Our press is NOT free but owned by Corporations and thus they have had for years more say so in our elections.  Where we went wrong was we started recognising corporations to have rights and responsibilities like actual people.  They are NOT people and should not have the same “rights”.  Corporate law early in our history focused on the interests of general public and were regulated strictly by the states.  Today anyone can form a corporation but it used to take an act of congress to form one and they were only allowed to operate under the specific charter they got for a limited time that it took.

  • WestVirginia304

    -

  • Juliezzz

    Well that’s not totally correct.  As a republic we ultimately decide who we put in and can legally scrap all our officials and start over if we wanted.  We have in all reality become usurped by a hidden form oligarchy because the wealthy and the big bankers are the ones choosing the candidate puppets and pulling all the strings. Problem is, it is a covert usurpation and it’s up to the 300 million of us to rip the control back out of their hands.  A Republic has an Achilles heel only if we as a public let the government get too big and have too much control, so they can be our parents and we their children to control every minutia of our lives.  It’s comfortable to numb our brains and to blindly trust those we put in charge, but it is also asking to be rulled by corruption and tyranny.

  • AC

    That’s right Ferd, money is not speech.  Even  the Beatles sang “I need Money”  they already had speech.

  • Guest

    It isn’t money, but can any organization or person speak and be heard effectively without it ? Clearly giving corporations the right to unlimited amounts of money in elections is troubling for many reasons, but I’m not sure this decision by the Supreme Court isn’t merely the giving of their blessings on what corporations had been doing anyway.

    Even Justice Stevens acknowledged: “we have long since held that corporations are covered by the First Amendment,” in many prior Supreme Court decisions.

    Constitutional protections for corporations already include: 

    (1st) freedom of: religion, speech, the press, assembly; and freedom to petition;
    (5th) indictments, due process, self-incrimination, double jeopardy, eminent domain;
    (14th) citizenship.

  • donjo

    Sorry, but Stevens was wrong.  Corps NEVER have been given the rights of individuals until now.  This is a fallacy that goes back to some fool judge who made a comment on this in the 1800′s.  And from then on, this has been assumed, but never truly legalized.  Thom Hartmann covered this in his book.

    WHAT we could do, though, is to form a PEOPLE’S CORPORATION with a couple million members and make our own damn attack ads.

  • Tricia

    I LIKE that idea Donjo!

  • Ferd Berfle

    They can speak all they want guest. Money, though, and its spending is not speech. Coherency is lost on the SC and the supporters of this complete fabrication and fraud. Making up new meanings for words is the last refuge of a side with a losing argument.

    Money, for the last time, is not speech, irrespective of how a myopic court rules.

  • Ferd Berfle

    “It isn’t money, but can any organization or person speak and be heard effectively without it ?”
     
    So now it is changed from speech to effective speaking and associated hearing. Define effective. Was my comment effective enough to make you change your definition in midstream? No money changed hands. All I did was state a very simple, east to follow argument from definitions.
     
    And YOU changed definitions on me. Next they’ll be defining green-cheese as moon-stuff.

  • Ferd Berfle

    “It isn’t money, but can any organization or person speak and be heard effectively without it ?” 
      
    So now it is changed from speech to effective speaking and associated hearing. Define effective. Was my comment effective enough to make you change your definition in midstream? No money changed hands. All I did was state a very simple, easy to follow argument from wrods and their definitions.  
      
    And YOU changed definitions on me. Next you’ll be defining green-cheese as moon-stuff to prove the veracity of an old fairy tale.

  • Ferd Berfle

    An excellent idea.

  • TeakWoodKite

    Except in Gaza.

  • Ferd Berfle

    And then there’s this gem:

    “(5th) indictments, due process, self-incrimination, double jeopardy, eminent domain;”

    How can a collection of individuals effectively invoke the 5th, pray tell? That is absurd on its face. And if pressured by the corporation to invoke the 5th, does that not represent conspiracy? Who goes to jail?

    The problems are manifold but it will keep attorneys employed for the next few decades, I’m sure.

  • AC

    That’s right donjo anytime anyone tries that stuff just ask them to cite the relevant case or law that says a corporation is a person–not personhood or personlike or fictitious person but person.

    They can’t do it because it’s a legal fiction.

  • Ferd Berfle

    Indeed, AC. And from a philosophical or even scientific point of view, how can a corporation possibly be considered a person? It is a complete fabrication and pure fiction. It is all meaningless claptrap.

  • TeakWoodKite

    Some OT, since the “political hit piece” genre was outlawed with the passage of McCain Fiengold and the lawsuit was because someone made a hit piece on Hillary Clinton with “90 days” of an election”,  and now it  is over turned by the Supremes, I guess I can start collecting them again.

    Donjo’s remarks are a rare glimpse into an aspect of this nations future that may come to pass. Interesting.

  • donjo

    THere’s already a bunch of organizations with huge numbers that could incorporate and as soon as they stop and think, will probably act on it.  Moveon, VoteVets, PUMA, come to mind; crap, even Acorn, and Freeperville.  Could be an interesting time in the advertising business making political clips for corporations. Not to mention the media that stands to gain the most.  Get your stock now.

    It’s gonna be a nightmare. Maybe this will finally instigate true public financing for all.  (Just don’t let Baucus write the bill.)

  • hot Librarian

    If the corporation obeys the laws, pays its taxes -why cant they put their cases forward ?

    Unions do it . religious groups do it . 

    They only have to answer to their stockholders.

    Anyhow it happens -better to be out in the open.

  • devilish

    A corporation, or any collective entity, is an extension of individuals coming together for a common cause, such as to provide a product or service.  Why should a collection of “people” have any less of a right to free speech as an individual?  The idea is illogical.

    Corporations can’t vote at the ballot box.  So, I would be more worried about ill educated individuals who are uninformed about the government that runs their country and being easily swayed by propaganda from either side of the aisle, then corporations doing in the open what they’ve been doing behind closed doors.

  • Sassy

    My view as well hot librarian!
    A tax-exempt church with a 1000 members has free speech!
    That a corporation with 1000 employees, taxed on the local, state, and federal level should be prohibited from expression in the political sphere is unrepresentative, in my opinion.
    Liberals have the billion dollar man in the White House, yet now cry foul!

  • Ferd Berfle

    Check the IRS for your answer on religious organizations. If they get too pollitical, they lose their tax-exempt status. I’ve already commented at length on this. Unions, corporations, and churches should not, as an entity, have the rights of individuals because they are NOT individuals.

  • AC

    How about Multi-national Corporations with many stockholders from other countries–should they have a voice (money/speech) in who we elect?

  • AC

    How about Multi-national Corporations with many stockholders (non-citizens) from other countries–should they have a voice (money/speech) in whom we elect?

  • Ferd Berfle

    Define individual and person and you’ll have your answer. Can corporations/unions run for office as a singular entity? Can they serve the country? Can they vote? Can they be jailed?

    If the answer (as a unit) to any of those (and other) questions is “no”, then they do not have the rights of citizenship as they are not citizens.  It is nonsensical and a corruption of our common language. Your argument is fallacious because it equivocates on “individual” and ”person”.

    There is a term for this sort of fracturing of the English language–it is called doublespeak.

  • AC

    That would give each individual two voices one as an individual and one as the collective.
     WELCOME THE BORG! SIEG HEIL TO THE COLLECTIVE!!

  • Ferd Berfle

    LMAO. They may as well define this new right as being the collective or Borg. Resistance is futile.

    They are Landrew (another star Trek episode where nonbelievers were absorbed).

  • AC

    The above is in response to devilish’s “collective entity”

  • Ferd Berfle

    Well, AC, the answer has to be “yes”. If you can’t win with the support of legal citizens, make them all legal citizens through the collective. Stalin and Mao would have been so proud of this court.

  • Ferd Berfle

    The common practice fallacy is not a rational argument. Try another line of reasoning.

  • AC

    Well Ferd, all this collective stuff make me feel mucky, time for a shower.

    Have an great day.

  • Ferd Berfle

    “So, I would be more worried about ill educated individuals who are uninformed about the government that runs their country and being easily swayed by propaganda from either side of the aisle, then corporations doing in the open what they’ve been doing behind closed doors.”

    Corporations, being comprised of these same ill-educated individuals, would magnify the problem. Belonging to a corporation does not suddenly endow one with wisdom. Secrecy, too, is a refuge for mischief. One only need look at the healthcare fiasco for objective evidence.

    Try again.

  • Ferd Berfle

    Mucky, for sure. You, have a great day, too, AC.

  • Ferd Berfle

    Hell, as long as we’re rewriting the Constitution via changing definitions, let’s rewrite the Declaration of Independence. I can jst see it now.

    “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all corporations and unions are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of profits and wages.”

    Yeah, that’s the ticket.

    Sounds pretty stupid, doesn’t it?

  • Katmoon

    Interesting take on the 5th, for Corporations:

    Petitioner, Appellant,

    v.

    UNITED STATES,
    “The Fifth Amendment guarantees that no person “shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.” U.S. Const. amend V. “The word ‘witness’ in the constitutional text limits the relevant category of compelled incriminating communications to those that are ‘testimonial’ in character.” United States v. Hubbell, 530 U.S. 27, 34 (2000). A corporation does not enjoy the privilege against self-incrimination guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment, as the privilege is a personal privilege enjoyed by natural individuals.  (explaining that the “constitutional privilege against self-incrimination is essentially a personal one, applying only to natural individuals”).

    http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=1st&navby=docket&no=052193

  • Katmoon

    Interesting take on the 5th, for Corporations:

    Petitioner, Appellant,

    v.

    UNITED STATES,
    “The Fifth Amendment guarantees that no person “shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.” U.S. Const. amend V. “The word ‘witness’ in the constitutional text limits the relevant category of compelled incriminating communications to those that are ‘testimonial’ in character.” United States v. Hubbell, 530 U.S. 27, 34 (2000). A corporation does not enjoy the privilege against self-incrimination guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment, as the privilege is a personal privilege enjoyed by natural individuals.  (explaining that the “constitutional privilege against self-incrimination is essentially a personal one, applying only to natural individuals”).

    http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=1st&navby=docket&no=052193

  • Katmoon

    Interesting take on the 5th, for Corporations:

    Petitioner, Appellant,

    v.

    UNITED STATES,
    “The Fifth Amendment guarantees that no person “shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.” U.S. Const. amend V. “The word ‘witness’ in the constitutional text limits the relevant category of compelled incriminating communications to those that are ‘testimonial’ in character.” United States v. Hubbell, 530 U.S. 27, 34 (2000). A corporation does not enjoy the privilege against self-incrimination guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment, as the privilege is a personal privilege enjoyed by natural individuals.  (explaining that the “constitutional privilege against self-incrimination is essentially a personal one, applying only to natural individuals”).

    http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=1st&navby=docket&no=052193

  • Anonymous

    This one is really in detail: A natural citizen cannot be an artificial person at the same time. This is from a grammar point of view on the Collective Entity Doctrine; worth the read.
    http://famguardian.org/Subjects/Taxes/Research/CollEntityRule.htm

  • Katmoon

    Sorry that last Guest was me, I forget, that my name doesn’t stay in the space provided, sorry. :-[

  • AC

    Nice find Katmoon-now I feel clean–I am a person!

  • Sassy

    Too political?
    Would that apply to the van and bus loads who were transported to the caucuses?

  • AC

    Nice find Katmoon.
    Note for devilish above
        Can a collective/corporation take a shower?  No!

    Now I feel clean–I am a person!

  • Patience

    I voted for McCain.  But I thought it was beyond ironic that he ended up facing an opponent who went on to make history by spending the most of ANY presidential candidate before.

    This fact alone was a simple illustration of the ineffectiveness of McCain-Feingold.  It’s undoubtedly poor legislation.

    I’ve stated here a few times that I support public campaign financing with no loopholes whatsoever, and no other money allowed.  I don’t think it will ever happen, for various reasons.  Even if it did, the FEC is obviously so inept an enforcer that campaign finance laws would likely still be flouted.

    After the court’s ruling the other day, I’ve been giving the subject more thought.  To be honest, I really wouldn’t like it if, in the last election, Obama — who I didn’t support — got as much public funding as McCain, who I did.  Public financing would prevent me from only supporting candidates I favor.  

    Bottom line — I’m not so certain of the best solution anymore.

  • Patience

    I voted for McCain.  But I thought it was beyond ironic that he ended up facing an opponent who went on to make history by spending the most of ANY presidential candidate before him.  
     
    This fact alone was a simple illustration of the ineffectiveness of McCain-Feingold.  It’s undoubtedly poor legislation.  
     
    I’ve stated here a few times that I support public campaign financing with no loopholes whatsoever, and no other money allowed.  I don’t think it will ever happen, for various reasons.  Even if it did, the FEC is obviously so inept an enforcer that campaign finance laws would likely still be flouted.  
     
    After the court’s ruling the other day, I’ve been giving the subject more thought.  To be honest, I really wouldn’t like it if, in the last election, Obama — who I didn’t support — got as much public funding as McCain, who I did.  Public financing would prevent me from only supporting candidates I favor.    
     
    Bottom line — I’m not so certain of the best solution anymore

  • Ferd Berfle

    I don’t think ANY collection of individuals is a person. Assume for the sake of argument that a draft is needed. Should we draft an entire corporation? Silly isn’t it? But then, you’ve defined the collective as an individual, which means they are subject collectively to a draft. Sorry, but the definition requires it.

    Hell, simply look beyond the legal gobbledegook to fundamental issues of grammar and logic. Defining down as up does not mean that the laws of physics change and you won’t still fall if you step off the precipice. This is an issue that goes to the foundation of the transfer of information from one person to another, i.e., communication.

  • Katmoon

    I have no idea why the triple post, so sorry.

  • FLDemFem

    You don’t have to chose your corporation, you can become your own corporation. I have a corporation, an LLC, that includes my horse farm, etc. So I am a corporation. Not a big one, but under the new ruling, I can, in my corporate guise, run ads for candidates that cost more than is allowed for individual donations. So can you.

  • Tricia

    Need to look at the IRS laws- Churches will lose their exempt status if they engage in any partisan political activity.

  • ghj

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