Proposed Constitutional Amendment aims to end corporate personhood, money as speech

In an amazing radio discussion November 28, Ben and Jerry's co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield made the case for a 28th Amendment to the US constitution.  The proposed amendment would put an end to the legal fiction of corporate personhood and the absurd premise - rampant in law today - that money is somehow speech, and is therefore carries with it First Amendment protections.

The show included input from a lawyer from a pro-amendment group, Move to Amend (http://movetoamend.org), as well as commentary from other lawyers and listeners.  It is both a highly informative discussion, as well as a strong example of how ideas can be debated in a rational and dispassionate manner.  Additionally, for those who agree with the ideas of the amendment supporters, the show gives a formidable list of organizations with whom individuals may get involved to build momentum for this much needed amendment.

The episode can be found here, and may be listened to on the webpage or downloaded in mp3 format.

Note: The organization with whom Mr. Cohen and Mr. Greenfield are affiliated for the purposes of this movement is Business for Democracy.

Vermont can lead the way

Today, independent Senator Bernie Sanders announced that the State of Vermont had been awarded $18 million to help implement a new federal health reform law.  This comes at a time when Vermont is planning to transition to a state-wide single payer healthcare system with the ability to cover nearly every Vermonter by 2017.  Hopefully, through successful implementation of federal reforms now and the anticipated expansion of coverage to all state residents by 2017, Vermont can lead by example and set the precedent for universal coverage for all people in this country.  Read more from Senator Sanders' office here.

More police brutality at Occupy protests

Lest anyone doubt the seriousness of the situation in New York, Washington, or anywhere else - or lest anyone claim that the police brutality on Wall Street was an accident or an exception to the rule, this video exposes the disgusting acts of police in Oakland, CA last night.  There, officers in riot gear cracked a veteran's skull with a canister of tear gas.  When fellow protester's came to the veteran's aid, another officer attacked the group huddled around the injured man with a flash grenade.

Please share this video.  It is not a matter of believing in protesting as an act, but about standing up for the First Amendment to the Constitution as a fundamental right which is shared by all Americans and which is presently under attack.

A reason to look forward to Monday

PRESIDENT OBAMA TO UNVEIL PLAN TO TAX THE WEALTHY

According to the BBC, the President is at last ready to unveil a new scheme by which the wealthy would come closer to paying their fair share for the upkeep of this country.  Read the full story here.

Just in time for the debate!

Here is a link to an amazing blog post at Big Corporation.  The post is essentially a list of quick facts and counterpoints to conservative misinformation, with topics ranging from jobs to the taxes to healthcare.  This is very well grounded fact sheet, with each fact cited with a link to the source of information.  Much of the information is in fact derived directly from original primary sources - that is, it is often taken directly from the original study that revealed the fact in the first place, without it having passed through a news outlet or other secondary source.  And the post will link you directly to that very study.  Try having an opponent rebut your argument now!  The facts are on your side.

Check it out here!

Classic Primary Debate Moments

As we political nerds prepare for this evening's stand-up special, Politico has put together a great list of primary debate moments from the past thirty or so years, spanning from Reagan to Obama.

It being a rainy and miserable day here in Washington, so this writer will be preparing for the debate with a home cooked meal and a drink to warm up.  It will probably be most prudent, however, to stay away from foods on which one could choke easily - tonight's main event will likely be replete with gaffes, shockers, and non-sequitrs.

With that in mind, pop some popcorn, get comfortable, and enjoy!

Breaking news in antitrust

Breaking news this morning - and good news at that!  This morning, the Department of Justice has filed suit to block AT&T from buying T-Mobile.

This same issue had been discussed earlier on this blog last month.

It is imperative that AT&T be permanently blocked from purchasing its smaller rival.  Such a merger would concentrate the national cell service market and place it in the hands of only three companies, the smallest and lowest cost of which (Sprint), could possibly be forced out of the market by two titan rivals.

More to follow...