Unequal Protection: How Corporations Became "People" - And How You Can Fight Back

To be honest, I never knew much about Thom Hartmann before the US Surpreme Court's "Citizens United" decision, in which the nation's highest court made what the majority of Americans of all political stripes regarded as an incalcuable mistake. The Supreme Court ruled, in the case of Citizens United vs the Federal Election Commission, that artifical enities---corporations---had more "rights" than ordinary flesh and blood citizens when it came to influence over the government and the direction of the US. For the first time, corporations could step out from the shadows where they conducted an indirect influence over those who were supposedly elected to represent you and I, and now their control was not only there for all to see, but redendered nearly unassailable by ordinary Americans.Mr. Hartmann is a progressive talk and radio show host ("progressive" can taken however you like). Nevertheless, his approach has been reasoned and well reseached. And perhaps most importantly, Mr. Hartmann goes to great lengths to avoid partisan politics here .In short, it was a balanced and honest accessment, which I found refreshing. This issue is too important for all Americans. The 330 page book is very well written utilizing excellent source material, which takes the reader from beginning of corporate influence on early Amercia all the way to its present role of "pulling the strings" and its near absolute control over our government. Mr. Hartmann goes further and discusses how this influence is now spreading throughout the world.This is an excellent book for anyone interested in American politics and how the game is really played. America was founded as the "Great Experiment"; a democratic republic to be governed for and by the People. It was, as Benjamin Franklin once said, "ours to keep if we can". Much of the America bequeath to us by our Founding Fathers is gone. It was quietly taken away while we were distracted by IPods, video games, and so-called "reality TV" and allowing politicans to get away with platitudes and soundbites rather than realistic non-partisan answers to the problems facing us. Our America today is an ever growing fascist-like state and with a dangeriously increasing police state mentality. This book is for those, regardless of their political leanings, who see this danger and want to take America back for ourselves and for our children.

Thom Hartmann's brilliantly plain spoken account reminiscing the history of corporate ' personhood' in the imfamous SCOTUS 1886 account : Santa Clara County v Southern Pacific Railroad , brings that thread into the present explaining how the general conditions of inequality between humans and the world of corporations has come to be extrapolating that they have received personhood through the said case . Consider that the modern corporation is not particularly subjected to equal penalties for criminal offences as you and I may be. Corporations hold sway over not only the decision making processes of our elected officials but even indirectly over us as well. For example; international laws enacted by the WTO essentially illegalize fair trade and national tariffs , allowing for production of goods be made at the lowest wage, cost and quality possible ,is considered 'doing a profitable business ' . Records of industrial by-products and emmisions are legally protected from scrutiny . This of course is what we see happening now with the commons being exploited while our unalienable right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness is being sytematically dismantled by relentless censorship , and restraints , the erosion of our peace . Motivated by selfish interests shareholder gains ad priori, does not reqiure a concern for the good of society be included in the equation. Hartmann in no way implies anti- Capitalism / Corporate views , a founder of more than a few himself , but rather due to the lack of prudence and oversight, rampant desires for profit outweigh common sense and just intent . I highly recommend this book for it's ease of reading and clarification of an important stage in American history that has been blurred and watered down by the predominantly manipulated sources of media we've come to rely on for real information . That once proud estate has failed so miserably in the task of reporting the news, not holding high the banner of dedication and honor the 1st Amendment deserves in principle that a free press = an informed citizenry. Kudos Tom Hartmann , a person deeply concerned for the welfare of this country and his fellow man, just as the Founders had intended it to be.

Thom Hartmann has, once again, provided an informative, rational and readable view of our world, its problems and what to do about them. This time its an update of his previous work on the domination of large corporations by virtue of "corporate personhood." He steps through the principles of the founders of our nation and then through Supreme Court decisions, or lack thereof, bringing history alive by quotes, photos and anecdotes about the people involved and why they acted as they did. He factually documents the negative impact corporate personhood has had on real persons and the society in which we live. Readers should sit up and take notice, however, that Hartmann reveals herein that it is not just ordinary humans who now have unequal protection under the law. Small and local businesses too have been trampled under the feet of the "big boys" of the economy. Those who advocate free market capitalism and who endorse corporate personhood often claim the purpose of helping small businesses or strengthening local economies. Just the opposite is the actual impact of these economic policies, as he clearly and amply demonstrates. Finally, he pulls in the comments of modern-day capitalists who have learned that removing the standing of corporations as persons under the law will not destroy big business either. In fact, in the long-run, it will ensure broad-based growth of the economy, as the capitalism without regulation that results from corporate personhood is not sustainable.This can be the reference book for a new movement, a truly "populist" movement to place "We, the People" back in charge. Let's go for it! Yes, we need to return to the principles upon which our country was founded. Corporations are NOT people!

Oh dear... confirmation of that which I already observed.