Vermont to Ban Corporate Personhood!

[FilmGal]

At least the legislature in the State of Vermont recognize that corporations are not people and do not have the same rights, which in reality measn overturning democratically enacted legislation in order to improve corporate profits:

http://www.alternet.org/news/149620/..._it_statewide/

That's why most are now LLCs. Always a loophole in this country.

[SkullyHB]

That's great as long as it addresses the can of worms that eliminating 'corporate personhood' opens up. It was established in an 1890 ruling based on the 14th amendment as a way to hold corporations civilly and criminally liable for their actions. Simply removing that status would mean that companies can't be sued for neglegence or illegal actions.

I'm all for restricting corporate power, but simply overturning 'corporate personhood' creates a whole new set of problems that would make the current ones seem trivial. And good luck passing a constitutional amendment that explicitly spells out restrictions on corporate interests.

[Adam Rebelius]

In spite of the above statement, I think this ban would be a good thing. Amongst other things, it would mean that corporations wouldn't be allowed to contribute to political campaigns under the guise of a "Private Citizen" anymore. If done correctly, (And it won't be, unfortunately) it could potentially be the start of citizens taking this country back. (But unfortunately, Robert is right about being LCCs and finding loopholes)

[jack76596]

“In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous.” -Publius Cornelius Tacitus

[sr113]

Such a shame that in this day & age, in Vermont of all places, that two corporations can't get married.

[Jersey Jake]

Originally Posted by FilmGal

At least the legislature in the State of Vermont recognize that corporations are not people and do not have the same rights, which in reality measn overturning democratically enacted legislation in order to improve corporate profits:
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I don't get how that would work. Would you elaborate on how a corporation’s "person" status is used to deny real flesh and blood "persons" rights? See below

other than a gratifying "less than a human being" status, I don't get how this would effect any real cap on corporate power.

Originally Posted by SkullyHB

That's great as long as it addresses the can of worms that eliminating 'corporate personhood' opens up. It was established in an 1890 ruling based on the 14th amendment as a way to hold corporations civilly and criminally liable for their actions. Simply removing that status would mean that companies can't be sued for neglegence or illegal actions.

I'm all for restricting corporate power, but simply overturning 'corporate personhood' creates a whole new set of problems that would make the current ones seem trivial. And good luck passing a constitutional amendment that explicitly spells out restrictions on corporate interests.

I was just thinking this too. I am still lacking understanding how this would be used to really curb the power of corporations.

Originally Posted by Adam Rebelius

In spite of the above statement, I think this ban would be a good thing. Amongst other things, it would mean that corporations wouldn't be allowed to contribute to political campaigns under the guise of a "Private Citizen" anymore. If done correctly, (And it won't be, unfortunately) it could potentially be the start of citizens taking this country back. (But unfortunately, Robert is right about being LCCs and finding loopholes)

I thought political donations were capped to begin with?

And even still it doesn't combat ridiculously wealthy individuals from donating under the guise of the private citizen. Which.....really, for all intents and purposes is one and the same problem.

[FilmGal]

While I disagree that this will lead to an eventual constitutional convention, I do think it demonstrates strong public opinion against corporations and puts pressure on Congress will influence future Supreme Court decisions:

http://motherjones.com/politics/2006...on-freed-slave

It also makes it harder for corporations to argue at the local and state level that their individual rights under the constitution are being violated by local and state laws which seek to regulate them or reign in their behavior. They'll first have to lose their case in court, then argue through appeals courts that the law declaring them non-persons is unconstitutional.