"By the people...not Buy the people"

At the start of this year I joined the environmental ministry team at my church. I really wasn’t sure what they did exactly, but with what I see occurring around me vis-à-vis drought, record heat waves, super storms, hurricanes & melting icecaps, I felt I had to do something. At the very least I would like my children to be able to say, “Dad tried to do something.”

Joining at mid-year there were already many projects that were already under way, but somehow I found myself volunteering for the letter writing aspect of our mission. (Go figure)

At the time I didn't really understand what types of letters we were trying to write. But being the political maven that I am, an article I read on Huffington Post or Think Progress, jumped out and grabbed my attention. A resolution calling for the end of corporate personhood was introduced on to the floor of the US House of Representatives in early February.

We all know how Mitt Romney’s, "corporations are people too, my friend"  snippet  resonated on the campaign trail,  but surprisingly enough, the statement is true. Back in 1886 the Supreme Court declared that corporations were “persons” and they enjoy the same rights as human beings.  

Although not your run of the mill “Save the Whales” issue, I explained to my other team members how the Citizens United decision regarding money, “freedom of speech” and corporate personhood affects EVERYTHING: Analysis of the 2012 Presidential elections by the Illinois Public Interest Research Group found that the presidential candidates raised $310 million from 3.7 million small donors. This same research showed that the top 32 Super Pac donors, who gave an average $9.9million apiece, raised almost $317million; This 02.20.2013 Think Progress article by Josh Israel Illustrates how corporate money is another illustration of how special interest groups are able to influence public policy.

After seeing all of this they understood the relevance of my interest in the

“We the People Amendment & http://www.represent.us/citizens-united-2/ We are still trying to work out the kinks of how to package and deliver this message to our congregation but I thought I would go ahead and share this message with you.

I don’t think that the BIG GUY up there will mind too much

So please do yourself and me a favor and sign these petitions:

http://movetoamend.nationbuilder.com/petition

http://www.represent.us/citizens-united-2/

If you are really motivated you can write to your US Congressional representative here:

US House: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

US Senate http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

I am reluctant to use my blog to air this bit on American dirty laundry, because, believe it or not, the www. really does mean world wide web and readers from around the world have “enjoyed” my postings. If you think about it, we “America” should be embarrassed by this display of the “American Way.” Our democracy is supposed to be “of the people, by the people and for the people.” Not this “of the Inc., BUY the Inc and screw the people” deMOCKracy thing that is going on now.

Anyway, peace be with you my friend