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.
The Blood Oath:
ReplyDeleteI do so solemnly swear that I believe with the deepest conviction that money is not speech and that only human beings are persons entitled to constitutional rights including the right to access the legislative process and the right to influence politicians, political campaigns and elections.
Furthermore, I promise to use my position as an elected official to make a priority of instituting and/or supporting a process whereby corporate person-hood is legally dissolved and the concept of money as speech is legally abolished.
Those that swear by The Blood Oath will not be required to run a blade across their palms. The Blood Oath is a symbolic recognition that human beings have blood running through their veins and corporations do not. Elected officials and those seeking elected office will be asked to swear by The Blood Oath; their accedence or refusal shall be well publicized. [Read more](http:www.outlierideas.com/2011/11/blood-oath-public-comment-period-open.html)