[lbo-talk] More Occupation life

[c b]

Any significant Constitutional limitation on the ability of
corporations to put money in elections would be a huge victory in the
class struggle for the 99%. The campaign for this would set up a big
class battle _in the political arena_ not the economic "arena" as in
an economic strike. It would put tens of thousands in political
motion. It could activate many in the 99% who are politically inert,
now.  Activity in the campaign would then further develop their
political class consciousness - practical critical activity.  We might
expect state constitutional amendment campaigns to spring up setting
up more class battles in the political arena.  For the Democratic
Party haters, this would be political activity that is not directly
supporting Democrats. In fact , the Democrats will be "co-opted" to
this campaign; the Occupation would co-opt Democrats instead of being
co-opted by Democrats. Dems have already been co-opted by this by
introducing it.

Charles

http://www.theoccupiedamendment.org/

Why We Must Work Together To Pass The OCCUPIED Amendment

    “Although they make enormous contributions to our society,
corporations are not actually members of it. They cannot vote or run
for office … the financial resources, legal structure, and
instrumental orientation of corporations raise legitimate concerns
about their role in the electoral process. Our lawmakers have a
compelling constitutional basis, if not also a democratic duty, to
take measures designed to guard against the potentially deleterious
effects of corporate spending in local and national races.”

— Justice John Paul Stevens in his powerful dissent to Citizens United
Corporations are not people and they do not belong in our elections.

In recent months, Americans across the nation have demonstrated,
protested, and occupied cities across the nation. But for far longer,
corporations have occupied Washington and our state capitals. We can
achieve lasting change by working together to pass the OCCUPIED
Amendment. It is time to give our government back to the people.

The OCCUPIED Amendment will end corporate influence in our elections by:

    Overturning Citizens United and outright banning the ability of
corporations to use their profits to influence our elections.

    Making clear that corporations, as well as entities formed to
represent corporations — are not real, living people with rights
protected by our Constitution. They are entities established under our
laws and thus subject to our laws.

    Reasserting the authority of Congress and the States to crack down
on anonymous third party groups flooding our elections with malicious
attack ads and to limit campaign contributions and expenditures by
individuals, candidates, and all types of private entities.

Read More about H. J. Res 90