Corporations are people?
Bob Grover, Emporia
Friday, September 23, 2011
A few weeks ago at the Iowa State Fair, Mitt Romney remarked that corporations are people. He later restated his claim saying, “Corporations, they’re made up of people. They’re just groups of people who come together for work ... And when you say tax corporations, the steel and the vinyl and the concrete, those things don’t pay taxes. Only people do. So high taxes on corporations is high taxes on people, and people are going to go places where taxes aren’t too high.” (N.Y. Times, Aug. 13, 2011)
It’s difficult to think of huge corporations like Chevron, AT & T, and Monsanto as persons. They are gigantic, remote, and far-reaching. I picture them more as octopuses than people. But let’s explore the premise that “Corporations are people.”
According to the standard definition of “corporation,” Romney is correct. “Corporation” is defined as “a body formed and authorized by law to act as a single person although constituted by one or more persons and legally endowed with various rights and duties including the capacity of succession.” (www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/)
Romney’s remark is also consistent with the Supreme Court’s January 2010 decision, Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission, which recognized that corporations are considered individuals and are guaranteed free speech as expressed in contributions to political candidates. This decision disregarded 150 years of legal precedent.
Okay, what do people do? Most are contributing members of their community. They work hard in either the private or public sector, spend and save their money wisely, maintain their property, rear their children to be responsible citizens, belong to service organizations, and give back to their community. They donate to local charities like United Way, volunteer to help in schools, hospitals and other agencies. They pay their taxes, vote consistently, and obey laws. They are honest, responsible citizens.
If all people were like these folks, there would be little need for laws, police, trials, jails, or prisons.
Other people are less responsible. They cheat on their income taxes and see no reason to contribute to their community. They are takers, not givers. They may hold jobs but are greedy and spend their money on self-indulgence. They see no need to vote. They have no respect for others or their property. They pay no attention to speed limits or any law that annoys them. The extreme of this person is one of the so-called “sovereign citizens,” who obey only those laws that they want.
Still other people can best be described as evil. They live a life of crime and have no respect for the law. Some kill and see police as the enemy. Some people bribe police and public officials to get their way. They have no concern that their actions are destructive to the rest of society.
Because of the thieves, killers, cheaters, bribers, and other miscreants, we need laws and police to enforce the laws, along with a judicial and criminal justice system to punish those who don’t obey the laws.
If corporations were “good people,” they would not contribute to the pollution of water, air, and land. They would pay their workers fairly and look after their safety and health. They would participate in and contribute to their local communities. They would pay their fair share of taxes and take responsibility for contributing to the betterment of society. Many corporations and businesses of all sizes are good citizens. We have numerous businesses in Emporia that make significant contributions to our community. If all corporations were good citizens, there would be no need for regulations.
If corporations are people, it’s safe to say that there is a broad range of corporations, just as there is a range of people — responsible ones, irresponsible ones, cheaters, thieves, and even murderers. Some corporations want their own way — they don’t want regulations imposed by government, and they don’t want labor unions. They do want low taxes, small government, and high profits. Some want to control elections and government. Apparently, these corporations consider themselves “special” people. They are focused on themselves and profits with little regard for the greater good of these United States.
If corporations are people, they need supervision and accountability, although they do not want it. They want things their way but cannot be trusted to make responsible decisions that contribute to the greater good.
We have ample evidence that if corporations are people, they DO need oversight and regulations — because people need them. And one more comparison: People have hearts; some corporations do not.
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Certain corporations want to control everything in this country and the world. The big question is--can we cut the rope before the money powers drop the trap door? Congress and our President need to refuse to pass anymore laws that push us down the road to World Government.
http://www.whale.to/b/allen_b.html#Ch...
September 23, 2011 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
The corporations that form cartels are the most dangerous threat to liberty. Please review this 10 minute video on the Federal Reserve.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpgcxs...
September 23, 2011 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Are there corporations that control America and the world?
http://www.squidoo.com/carroll-quigle...
September 23, 2011 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
The secret cabal.
http://www.newswithviews.com/Monteith...
September 23, 2011 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Corporate greed.
http://www.infowars.com/solargate-oba...
September 23, 2011 at 2:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
"And that is why I wrote the book, because our country needs to understand, if people in this nation understood what our foreign policy is really about, what foreign aid is about, how our corporations work, where the tax money goes, I know we will demand change." John Perkins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTbdnN...
September 23, 2011 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
I'll believe a Corporation is a person when Texas executes one.
September 23, 2011 at 10:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
An interesting read, Mr. Grover.
Also, some individuals form corporations with family members just to use the tax shelter corporations provide.
Yes, those corporation people are pretty thoughtful, thinking up ways to save themselves big bucks while the rest of us pay and pay and pay and pay...
September 24, 2011 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Incorporate,
create Inc.
but do it in Deleware, their laws are friendly to corps.
September 24, 2011 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
New layers of red tape threaten growth.
http://visiontoamerica.org/2788/over-...
September 24, 2011 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
The Federal Register has grown by almost 60,000 pages, with more than 400 "significant" rules costing over 70 billion dollars. With job growth slowing to zero in August, 14 million unemployed want the government to slow down on regulations inorder for small business to be able to hire.
September 24, 2011 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Nothing good is going to happen in this economy until someone like William Black takes over the job of real regulation. Go to William Black Bank Fraud.
September 25, 2011 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/040...
September 25, 2011 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Taxes. Why are some folks putting their money and investments in CANADA?
http://5minforecast.agorafinancial.co...
September 25, 2011 at 4:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Government is the the answer to our problems. Go to Detroit in ruins.
September 25, 2011 at 4:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hhJ_4...
September 25, 2011 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
These are the people, coroporations, and foundations we need to worry about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRkCvu...
September 25, 2011 at 4:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG4JLp... coming to a neighborhood near you ! This may be the answer ?
September 25, 2011 at 8:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Maybe the government should regulate more, corporate profits are at record levels......
September 25, 2011 at 10:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Food for thought.
http://geraldcelentechannel.blogspot....
September 26, 2011 at 7:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
The rest of the story on Obamacare.
http://www.infowars.com/obamacare-its...
September 30, 2011 at 12:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )