Are Corporations in the U.S people?

Oct 30

People dont like corporations. The Occupy movements are apparently about fighting corprate greed, even as they use phones, Ipods, and laptops. Movies and video games cast corporations as evil. In the game Saints Row 2, the main antagonist is the Ultor Corporation, which seeks to use gang violence to ruin the city so Ultor can buy the property. In the hard economic times, people are upset at stories of corprate bailouts and the pay that CEOs make. So the question comes, are corporations people?

 The question comes after a ruling but the Supreme Court in Citizens united vs Federal Electoral Commisson, in which corporations were permited to spend whatever they pleased in supporting a candidate. The Court ruled that, under the First Amendment, corporations could not be sensored in how much they advertize for a candidate. This sparked the debate over whether or not corporations are considered people in the United States.

 Propenents argue yes. A corporation should be free to spend its own money however it likes, so long as it does not break a law. There is no law against unlimited money, so it can spend it. Like any voter, a corporation is using the money on a candidate so that, if he wins, the corporation can have representation for the offical. A person can email or call their politician, a corporation has its own needs that need addressing. Ed Rollins, a Republican consultant, claims that there will now be more transparncy and competitive. Supporters also point to the freedoms of the First Amendment as proof that they are right.

by promoting gang warfare.

 Opponents argue no. Politicians, such as John Kerry and John McCain, claim this will lead to increased corruption and special interest influence. The New York Times claimed that the Court has 'handed the lobbyists a new weapon'. If a group does not like a candidate, they can spend unlimited amounts on his opponent. The lack of checks on money also means the corporation can dangle even more money over an offical to get their way. Add to the fact that a corporation is a collective of people with different interests and shares, a corporation can hardly be seen as a person. In a poll, 80% of the people opposed the ruling.

 I believe that a corporation can spend its money however they like. I dont absolutely love the idea, but they have that right. I would prefer it if the corporation leaves it to its members to either take a vote on who they support, or simply let indiviuals within the corporation make their own donations. I do not believe that corporations themselves are people, but they are made up of people, thus bringing it under the First Amendment.

Facts:
1. Supporters claim that this provides more transparncy, while opponents expect a flood of corruption and special interest.
2. In an ABC-Washington Post poll, 80% opposed the idea of unlimited corporate spending in elections.
3. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnel claims the ruling "Struck a blow for the First Amendment."