Corporations Are Not People: Reclaiming Democracy from Big Money and Global Corporations

by Jeffrey D. Clements, Bill Moyers (Foreword by)

Overview

NEW EDITION, REVISED AND UPDATED
Since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling that the rights of things—money and corporations—matter more than the rights of people, America has faced a crisis of democracy. In this timely and thoroughly updated second edition, Jeff Clements describes the strange history of this bizarre ruling, its ongoing destructive effects, and the growing movement to reverse it. He includes a new chapter, “Do Something!,” showing how—state by state and community by community—Americans are using creative strategies and tools to renew democracy and curb unbalanced corporate power. Since the first edition, 16 states, 160 members of Congress, and 500 cities and towns have called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, and the list is growing. This is a fight we can win!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626562103
Publisher:	Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Publication date:	08/18/2014
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jeff Clements is a cofounder of Free Speech for People, a nonpartisan campaign to reverse Citizens United, work for equal citizenship for all Americans, and reform corporate law. An attorney, Jeff has represented and advocated for people, businesses, and the public interest since 1988.

Table of Contents

Preface to this Second Edition vii

Preface to the First Edition xi

Foreword: Fighting Back Bill Moyers xv

Introduction: What's at Stake 1

1 American Democracy Works, and Corporations Fight Back 7

2 Corporations Are Not People-and They Make Lousy Parents 35

3 If Corporations Are Not People, What Are They? 61

4 Corporations Don't Vote; They Don't Have To 83

5 Did Political Inequality and Corporate Power Destroy the Working American Economy? 115

6 Corporations Can't Love 133

7 Restoring Democracy and Republican Government 151

8 Do Something 175

Resources 194

The People's Rights Amendment 195

Citizens' Equality Amendment 196

We, the People Amendment 197

Sample Amendment Resolution 198

Questions and Answers About the People's Rights Amendment 200

Free Speech for People and Appalachian Voices' Request for Revocation of Massey Energy Company Charters 206

Sources and Recommended Reading 211

Notes 215

Index 237

About the Author 245

Editorial Reviews

The new, updated edition of Corporations Are Not People is needed now more than ever. Americans are deeply troubled by the growing influence of corporations and big money in our political discourse and government. Read this book, and join the work to save our democracy.”

—Congressman Jim McGovern, lead sponsor of constitutional amendments to overturn Citizens United

“More relevant than ever, this updated edition of Corporations Are Not People chronicles the remarkably vibrant, nationwide grassroots movement to ‘get money out and voters in.’”

—Katrina vanden Heuvel, Editor and Publisher, The Nation

“Jeff Clements, in this remarkably clear-eyed historical and contemporary analysis of stifling corporate supremacy, shows how ‘we the people’ can make ‘a more perfect union’ by subordinating giant corporate entities to the constitutional sovereignty of the people.”

—Ralph Nader

From the Publisher