Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Pittsburgh Bans Natural Gas Drilling
An example of citizens resisting corporate Constitutional rights. People have a right to decide economically, politically...and environmentally...what goes on in their communities. This is also an example of corporate power based on something other than 1st Amendment Free Speech rights. It's why any effort to amend the Constitution to abolish "corporate personhood" must include ALL Constitutional rights -- not simply the 1st Amendment [www.movetoamend.org]
"Provisions in the ordinance eliminate corporate 'personhood' rights within the city for corporations seeking to drill, and remove the ability of corporations to wield the Commerce and Contracts Clauses of the U.S. Constitution to override community decision-making."
Pittsburgh Bans Natural Gas Drilling
A historic new ordinance bans natural gas drilling while elevating community decision making and the rights of nature over the "rights" associated with corporate personhood.
by Mari Margil, Ben Price
posted Nov 16, 2010
http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/pittsburg-bans-natural-gas-drilling
"Provisions in the ordinance eliminate corporate 'personhood' rights within the city for corporations seeking to drill, and remove the ability of corporations to wield the Commerce and Contracts Clauses of the U.S. Constitution to override community decision-making."
Pittsburgh Bans Natural Gas Drilling
A historic new ordinance bans natural gas drilling while elevating community decision making and the rights of nature over the "rights" associated with corporate personhood.
by Mari Margil, Ben Price
posted Nov 16, 2010
http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/pittsburg-bans-natural-gas-drilling
Friday, November 12, 2010
Lots o' Links of Corporate Assault on Democracy
BACKGROUND
=============
For those who wish to approach the issue of corporate personhood from a religious perspective...
Do corporations have souls?
By THE REV. EDMUND ROBINSON
October 30, 2010 2:00 AM
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101030/LIFE/10300303
Henry Demarest Lloyd's Wealth Against Commonwealth.
http://www.ebooks.burnedbookspublishing.com/04003852/index.html
[It took former Ohioan John Storm 5 years to convert this 1894 classic to an electronic format. Find the time to read it!]
NEWS
=====
The Cost of a Vote Goes Up
By EDUARDO PORTER
Published: November 6, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/opinion/07sun3.html
The Re-Education of a Citizens United Denier
The Supreme Court didn't just let corporations in; it created a new kind of money broker.
Mark Schmitt | November 5, 2010
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_reeducation_of_a_citizens_united_denier
Big spenders: How candidates backed by outside groups fared
By Anupama Narayanswamy Nov 3, 2010
http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/
Editorial: Judges and Money
States that hold judicial elections must adopt public financing and strict rules barring judges from cases involving major financial supporters
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/opinion/30sat2.html?emc=eta1
Economist Joseph Stiglitz: Put Corporate Criminals in Jail
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/investing/joseph-stiglitz-corporate-crooks-to-jail/19684353/?icid=sphere_copyright
Small Town Declares Freedom from Fracking
Licking Township, Pennsylvania Declares Freedom from Fracking
http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/pennsylvania-township-declares-freedom-from-fracking
TAKE ACTION
============
Pass the DISCLOSE ACT THIS YEAR!
In January, the Supreme Court strengthened corporations' grip on our government and political process with a dangerous ruling, overturning more than 100 years of election law.
The results of that ruling led to millions of dollars of secret, undisclosed contributions that influenced this year's elections.
To combat the new, unregulated corporate influence over elections, the House of Representatives passed the DISCLOSE Act - because democracy is strengthened by casting light on spending in elections.
It is time for the Senate to act on this critical piece of legislation. Tell Senator Harry Reid to bring the DISCLOSE ACT to the floor of the Senate this year.
More at http://readersupportednews.org/pass-the-disclose-act-this-year
Visit MoveToAmendOhio.org
For more action ideas. Click on the Take Action link.
Rootscamp
Karen Hansen and I will be doing a workshop tomorrow in Columbus at Rootscamp on Ending Corporate Rule in Ohio and the US. If you’re attending, join us! www.ohiorootscamp.pbworks.com
=============
For those who wish to approach the issue of corporate personhood from a religious perspective...
Do corporations have souls?
By THE REV. EDMUND ROBINSON
October 30, 2010 2:00 AM
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101030/LIFE/10300303
Henry Demarest Lloyd's Wealth Against Commonwealth.
http://www.ebooks.burnedbookspublishing.com/04003852/index.html
[It took former Ohioan John Storm 5 years to convert this 1894 classic to an electronic format. Find the time to read it!]
NEWS
=====
The Cost of a Vote Goes Up
By EDUARDO PORTER
Published: November 6, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/opinion/07sun3.html
The Re-Education of a Citizens United Denier
The Supreme Court didn't just let corporations in; it created a new kind of money broker.
Mark Schmitt | November 5, 2010
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_reeducation_of_a_citizens_united_denier
Big spenders: How candidates backed by outside groups fared
By Anupama Narayanswamy Nov 3, 2010
http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/
Editorial: Judges and Money
States that hold judicial elections must adopt public financing and strict rules barring judges from cases involving major financial supporters
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/opinion/30sat2.html?emc=eta1
Economist Joseph Stiglitz: Put Corporate Criminals in Jail
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/investing/joseph-stiglitz-corporate-crooks-to-jail/19684353/?icid=sphere_copyright
Small Town Declares Freedom from Fracking
Licking Township, Pennsylvania Declares Freedom from Fracking
http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/pennsylvania-township-declares-freedom-from-fracking
TAKE ACTION
============
Pass the DISCLOSE ACT THIS YEAR!
In January, the Supreme Court strengthened corporations' grip on our government and political process with a dangerous ruling, overturning more than 100 years of election law.
The results of that ruling led to millions of dollars of secret, undisclosed contributions that influenced this year's elections.
To combat the new, unregulated corporate influence over elections, the House of Representatives passed the DISCLOSE Act - because democracy is strengthened by casting light on spending in elections.
It is time for the Senate to act on this critical piece of legislation. Tell Senator Harry Reid to bring the DISCLOSE ACT to the floor of the Senate this year.
More at http://readersupportednews.org/pass-the-disclose-act-this-year
Visit MoveToAmendOhio.org
For more action ideas. Click on the Take Action link.
Rootscamp
Karen Hansen and I will be doing a workshop tomorrow in Columbus at Rootscamp on Ending Corporate Rule in Ohio and the US. If you’re attending, join us! www.ohiorootscamp.pbworks.com
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
5 Observations from the Vote on Akron Ballot Issues
The votes are in. Four of the seven ballot measures (Issues 12-15) passed. Issues 11, 16 and 17 failed.
1. The recall provision of Issue 12 was the poster child to basically gut the initiative and referendum provisions of the city charter. Anger over last year’s recall campaign was manipulated to shield these other “direct democracy” provisions of the charter. The initiative, referendum and recall are 3 completely different “direct democracy” provisions – grounded in state constitutions and municipal charter across the country going back more than a century to enable citizens to “do democracy directly” and keep public officials accountable between elections. The initiative permits citizens to create a law (via signatures gathered on a petition followed by an election) that citizens feel their elected representatives would not otherwise enact. The referendum permits citizens to undo or reverse a law passed by elected officials via signatures gathered on a petition followed by an election. The recall permits removal of an elected official via signatures gathered on a petition followed by an election. Framing the issue about the recall and abuse of it was the tactic. It worked -- as much as those opposed to the Issue tried to inform voters of the initiative and referendum provisions. Still, in spite of it all, Issue 12 only passed by less than 3%. Pretty remarkable.
2. By my count, there were 32 other charter amendment changes on the ballot elsewhere in Summit County in addition to the seven in Akron. Only five were voted down (two in Stow, and one each in Twinsburg, Mogadore and Peninsula). That means 85% of proposed changes passed. That seems about right – as most people sadly don’t pay much attention to their charter – which is the equivalent to their local constitution. Nevertheless, charters are perceived as boring, legalistic and confusing. The defeat of three of seven of Akron’s charter amendment proposals comes to 43% -- nearly three times the rate elsewhere in the county. And this was in the face of the 11th hour blitzkrieg of negative mailings.
3. Voters in the Village of Peninsula were asked to vote on Issue 69. What was Issue 69? It was a vote (for no more than 15 people) of who should serve on the Village Charter Commission – presumably a Commission that will soon meet. Imagine if Akron had elected its charter review commission instead of it being handpicked by the Mayor. The original “problems” and “issues” with the current charter might have looked very different – those addressing the economic and social needs of people and neighborhoods rather than how to consolidate political and economic power in City Hall. Yes, city council would have had to approve the recommendations of the body before anything could appear on the ballot. But a “people’s” charter review commission would have set a very different table for discussion and deliberation than the handpicked commission. By the way, Mansfield also elects their charter review commission. Who knows how many other communities do the same across the state.
4. “Citizens for Akron,” which supported passage of all the issues, raised $86,000 based on their most recent campaign filing. Save Our City, which opposed Issues 11-16, only raised a few thousand dollars. Might the results have been different if there had been a move even financial playing field? “Citizens for Akron” drowned out the voices of Save Our City with their repeated mailings to voters during the last week. The stunning irony of this is that “Citizen for Akron” used their big money war chest to promote, among the issues, Issue 14 – which argued that more political money is needed to increase political competition and educate voters.
5. Speaking of “Citizens for Akron,” who were the fine, outstanding Akron residents loyal to their community who funded the $86,000 campaign to pass Issues 11-17.
$25,000 from First Energy corporation
$15,000 from Goodyear Tire & Rubber corporation
$10,000 from Rubber City Arches, LLC.
$10,000 from GOJO Industries, Inc.
$6,000 from Brouse McDowell, LPA. - Law firm.
$5,000 from Myers Industries
$5,000 from Roetzel and Andress, LPA.- Law firm.
$5,000 from Thomarios.
$2,000 from Cavanaugh Building corporation.
$1,000 from the Daniel Pohl Family Lmtd Partnership.
$1,000 from Cardinal Maintenance and Service Co., Inc.
$1,000 from Cardinal Environmental Services, Inc.
Here’s the originals:
www.docstoc.com/docs/57697165/Who-Funds-Citizens-for-Akron--Corporations-of-course!
Not a single Ohioan. Not a single Akron resident. In fact, not a single human being. All are businesses of one type or another. No doubt looking at their “contribution” more as an “investment” – looking to get something in return.
Corporations – at every level of government, more and more dominate politics. Elections don’t by themselves equate to a democracy. If they did, there would’ve been a thriving democracy in the former Soviet Union and in current China – as election turnouts were/are extraordinarily high. What makes a democracy real is when every person has a legitimate chance to have their voice heard and opportunity to shape the decisions affecting their lives.
Corporations increasingly influence elections and corrupt the body politic because they increasingly gained constitutional rights as “persons.” Corporate “free speech rights” in elections is an absurdity. This nation’s founders never intended it. The Bill of Rights was meant to protect human beings, not corporations. Corporate political power must end.
There’s a national and state campaign to (re)assert citizen power over corporate power. It’s called Move to Amend. Go their website (www.movetoamend.org) and sign the petition calling for a constitutional amendment to abolish corporate personhood. The state chapter is www.movetoamendohio.org. Download the resolution calling for abolishing corporate constitutional rights. Take it to whatever group(s) you may be a part of. Get them to endorse it. The only ways to legalize democracy and end corporate rule is when We the People take charge. If you’d like someone to speak before a group you may be a part of, contact AFSC at 330-928-2301.
1. The recall provision of Issue 12 was the poster child to basically gut the initiative and referendum provisions of the city charter. Anger over last year’s recall campaign was manipulated to shield these other “direct democracy” provisions of the charter. The initiative, referendum and recall are 3 completely different “direct democracy” provisions – grounded in state constitutions and municipal charter across the country going back more than a century to enable citizens to “do democracy directly” and keep public officials accountable between elections. The initiative permits citizens to create a law (via signatures gathered on a petition followed by an election) that citizens feel their elected representatives would not otherwise enact. The referendum permits citizens to undo or reverse a law passed by elected officials via signatures gathered on a petition followed by an election. The recall permits removal of an elected official via signatures gathered on a petition followed by an election. Framing the issue about the recall and abuse of it was the tactic. It worked -- as much as those opposed to the Issue tried to inform voters of the initiative and referendum provisions. Still, in spite of it all, Issue 12 only passed by less than 3%. Pretty remarkable.
2. By my count, there were 32 other charter amendment changes on the ballot elsewhere in Summit County in addition to the seven in Akron. Only five were voted down (two in Stow, and one each in Twinsburg, Mogadore and Peninsula). That means 85% of proposed changes passed. That seems about right – as most people sadly don’t pay much attention to their charter – which is the equivalent to their local constitution. Nevertheless, charters are perceived as boring, legalistic and confusing. The defeat of three of seven of Akron’s charter amendment proposals comes to 43% -- nearly three times the rate elsewhere in the county. And this was in the face of the 11th hour blitzkrieg of negative mailings.
3. Voters in the Village of Peninsula were asked to vote on Issue 69. What was Issue 69? It was a vote (for no more than 15 people) of who should serve on the Village Charter Commission – presumably a Commission that will soon meet. Imagine if Akron had elected its charter review commission instead of it being handpicked by the Mayor. The original “problems” and “issues” with the current charter might have looked very different – those addressing the economic and social needs of people and neighborhoods rather than how to consolidate political and economic power in City Hall. Yes, city council would have had to approve the recommendations of the body before anything could appear on the ballot. But a “people’s” charter review commission would have set a very different table for discussion and deliberation than the handpicked commission. By the way, Mansfield also elects their charter review commission. Who knows how many other communities do the same across the state.
4. “Citizens for Akron,” which supported passage of all the issues, raised $86,000 based on their most recent campaign filing. Save Our City, which opposed Issues 11-16, only raised a few thousand dollars. Might the results have been different if there had been a move even financial playing field? “Citizens for Akron” drowned out the voices of Save Our City with their repeated mailings to voters during the last week. The stunning irony of this is that “Citizen for Akron” used their big money war chest to promote, among the issues, Issue 14 – which argued that more political money is needed to increase political competition and educate voters.
5. Speaking of “Citizens for Akron,” who were the fine, outstanding Akron residents loyal to their community who funded the $86,000 campaign to pass Issues 11-17.
$25,000 from First Energy corporation
$15,000 from Goodyear Tire & Rubber corporation
$10,000 from Rubber City Arches, LLC.
$10,000 from GOJO Industries, Inc.
$6,000 from Brouse McDowell, LPA. - Law firm.
$5,000 from Myers Industries
$5,000 from Roetzel and Andress, LPA.- Law firm.
$5,000 from Thomarios.
$2,000 from Cavanaugh Building corporation.
$1,000 from the Daniel Pohl Family Lmtd Partnership.
$1,000 from Cardinal Maintenance and Service Co., Inc.
$1,000 from Cardinal Environmental Services, Inc.
Here’s the originals:
www.docstoc.com/docs/57697165/Who-Funds-Citizens-for-Akron--Corporations-of-course!
Not a single Ohioan. Not a single Akron resident. In fact, not a single human being. All are businesses of one type or another. No doubt looking at their “contribution” more as an “investment” – looking to get something in return.
Corporations – at every level of government, more and more dominate politics. Elections don’t by themselves equate to a democracy. If they did, there would’ve been a thriving democracy in the former Soviet Union and in current China – as election turnouts were/are extraordinarily high. What makes a democracy real is when every person has a legitimate chance to have their voice heard and opportunity to shape the decisions affecting their lives.
Corporations increasingly influence elections and corrupt the body politic because they increasingly gained constitutional rights as “persons.” Corporate “free speech rights” in elections is an absurdity. This nation’s founders never intended it. The Bill of Rights was meant to protect human beings, not corporations. Corporate political power must end.
There’s a national and state campaign to (re)assert citizen power over corporate power. It’s called Move to Amend. Go their website (www.movetoamend.org) and sign the petition calling for a constitutional amendment to abolish corporate personhood. The state chapter is www.movetoamendohio.org. Download the resolution calling for abolishing corporate constitutional rights. Take it to whatever group(s) you may be a part of. Get them to endorse it. The only ways to legalize democracy and end corporate rule is when We the People take charge. If you’d like someone to speak before a group you may be a part of, contact AFSC at 330-928-2301.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Vote NO on Akron Ballot Issues
The source of all legitimate power of any representative democracy is the citizenry. Not elected officials. Not economic power elites. Not the media. Not self-serving interest groups. But the people.
Therefore, any law or rule that weakens the power of citizens to influence elected officials or diminishes the ability of citizens to directly govern themselves is a threat to democracy and self-governance.
Several issues on the ballot in the City of Akron this November pose a direct threat to citizens and democracy. The following are those which pose the greatest direct threat:
Issue 11 doubles the limit (from $15,000 to $30,000) of contracts that can be awarded unilaterally by the Mayor without competitive bids. City Council would have no voice. Citizens would have no voice.
Issue 12 raises the amount of signatures needed by citizens to place an issue on the ballot from approximately 3,600 to 13,000. That’s more than a 350% increase – effectively shutting down any citizen-led effort to place any issue on the ballot for voter consideration.
Issue 14 abolishes the campaign finance limits currently in the city charter – limits passed overwhelmingly by voters in 1998 following a citizen-led initiative to collect signatures to place the issue on the ballot. The limits would be replaced with higher political contribution amounts and permits city council to establish even higher amounts in the future. Higher political contributions amounts will make it more difficult for citizens without money to be heard and their neighborhoods helped. It also reduces political competition. The Brennen Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law issued a report last year that concluded that lower political contribution limits led to greater political competition. Their report examined elections in 42 states over 26 years. Read the report at
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/electoral_competition_and_low_contribution_limits/
Issue 16 allow the city administration to lease Akron’s steam plant to a private corporation. Previous efforts at “privatizing” the facility resulted in loss of public control and taxpayers having to pay millions of dollars. Keep public utilities public.
Citizens deserve to have greater, not fewer, powers and rights to make decisions over their lives and communities. These ballot issues lead citizens in exactly the wrong direction.
Please consider voting No on these ballot issues.
Therefore, any law or rule that weakens the power of citizens to influence elected officials or diminishes the ability of citizens to directly govern themselves is a threat to democracy and self-governance.
Several issues on the ballot in the City of Akron this November pose a direct threat to citizens and democracy. The following are those which pose the greatest direct threat:
Issue 11 doubles the limit (from $15,000 to $30,000) of contracts that can be awarded unilaterally by the Mayor without competitive bids. City Council would have no voice. Citizens would have no voice.
Issue 12 raises the amount of signatures needed by citizens to place an issue on the ballot from approximately 3,600 to 13,000. That’s more than a 350% increase – effectively shutting down any citizen-led effort to place any issue on the ballot for voter consideration.
Issue 14 abolishes the campaign finance limits currently in the city charter – limits passed overwhelmingly by voters in 1998 following a citizen-led initiative to collect signatures to place the issue on the ballot. The limits would be replaced with higher political contribution amounts and permits city council to establish even higher amounts in the future. Higher political contributions amounts will make it more difficult for citizens without money to be heard and their neighborhoods helped. It also reduces political competition. The Brennen Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law issued a report last year that concluded that lower political contribution limits led to greater political competition. Their report examined elections in 42 states over 26 years. Read the report at
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/electoral_competition_and_low_contribution_limits/
Issue 16 allow the city administration to lease Akron’s steam plant to a private corporation. Previous efforts at “privatizing” the facility resulted in loss of public control and taxpayers having to pay millions of dollars. Keep public utilities public.
Citizens deserve to have greater, not fewer, powers and rights to make decisions over their lives and communities. These ballot issues lead citizens in exactly the wrong direction.
Please consider voting No on these ballot issues.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Most Censored Stories Include Banks/Banking/Currency
Project Censored has listed issues of banks/banking/currency as among its top “censored” news stories the last 2 years — including the #1 issue in both its 2010 and 2011 reports.
Censored 2011- The Top 25 Censored Stories!
http://dailycensored.com/2010/10/10/top-25-censored-stories-released/
1. Global Plans to Replace the Dollar
19. Obama Administration Assures World Bank and International Monetary Fund a Free Reign of Abuse
Censored 2010- The Top 25 Censored Stories!
http://www.projectcensored.org/top-stories/articles/category/top-stories/top-25-of-2010/
1. US Congress Sells Out to Wall Street
6. Lobbyists Buy Congress
8. Bailed out Banks and America’s Wealthiest Cheat IRS Out of Billions
Censored 2011- The Top 25 Censored Stories!
http://dailycensored.com/2010/10/10/top-25-censored-stories-released/
1. Global Plans to Replace the Dollar
19. Obama Administration Assures World Bank and International Monetary Fund a Free Reign of Abuse
Censored 2010- The Top 25 Censored Stories!
http://www.projectcensored.org/top-stories/articles/category/top-stories/top-25-of-2010/
1. US Congress Sells Out to Wall Street
6. Lobbyists Buy Congress
8. Bailed out Banks and America’s Wealthiest Cheat IRS Out of Billions
Friday, October 22, 2010
Monahan Brothers March into DC - Part I
Here are a few pictures of the arrival of the Monahan Brothers and supporters to DC. We marched from Arlington Cemetery to the Lincoln Memorial for a rally, which included unfurling a 100+ foot long Preamble to the Constitution. The couple of hundred people in attendance were asked to sign -- affirming that the Constitution and Bill of Rights were meant for people, not corporations. Next we marched to the US Capital for a few pictures holding signs. We ended up at a part across from the US Supreme Court holding signs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
