The United States of the Corporation

[Catfish]

Hello,
i suppose all those Obama haters will now rejoice and hope things will get back like they were during McCarthy, Nixon, and the Bushs

Well, not really "funny"

Right here we have a Mister Roland Koch, being a condemned criminal for corruption and whatnot, certainly bribed by industry, just threw out the intendant of one of Germany's biggest TV stations, because he tolerated party-critic TV spots - certainly about THE party that is closely "related" (money-wise) to the industry.
There are so much scandals here with big business bribing the politicians and parties (right-wing, that is) that the people don't even want to hear about it anymore. I guess Koch's shining example is Mr. Berlusconi from Italy "lol".
Not really funny either

Greetings,
Catfish

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Catfish

Right here we have a Mister Roland Koch, being a condemned criminal for corruption and whatnot, certainly bribed by industry, just threw out the intendant of one of Germany's biggest TV stations, because he tolerated party-critic TV spots - certainly about THE party that is closely "related" (money-wise) to the industry.
There are so much scandals here with big business bribing the politicians and parties (right-wing, that is) that the people don't even want to hear about it anymore. I guess Koch's shining example is Mr. Berlusconi from Italy "lol".
Not really funny either

Greetings,
Catfish

Don't get me started on the latest FDP crap with their hotel stay taxation cap (after receiving a 1.1 million € donation of a big hotelier). I'm really exited to see their new man for checking the products of pharmaceutical companies too (The current one who always resisted the lobby and made sure that the people only got stuff that worked for the smallest price has been sacked by them today. The official reason is that he used a car illegally on the expense of the taxpayer but he denied that. He made some enemies with the big pharmaceutical companies though.... Why do I have the feeling that the new guy will be so much more pro expensive stuff.). Well, we voted predator capitalists and we got predator capitalists. Sometimes I think this country is full of idiots.

[SteamWake]

Dont you find it the least bit curious that this gets turned over when the democrats are fighting for their political life?

It would seem to me that this would make them happy.

[Aramike]

Theres the rub. Corporations should not be considered entities. If they want so bad to have the same rights as people, let them have the same obligations. Personal income tax rates apply, as well as jail time for CEOs if the company breaks the law.

Corporations are nothing more than a group of individuals who collectively conduct business together. Ergo, personal income tax rates DO apply. As do capital gains taxes.

Furthermore, you're missing a very important point - neither I, nor anyone else, is actually supporting corporations having the same rights as a private citizen. That, my friend, would mean something else entirely - the right to actually vote.

Moving on, let me ask you this: would you support the same restrictions being applied to unions? Do you support restricting the publication of books during election seasons? How about censoring the corporate-owned editorial boards of newspapers from endorsing candidates?

Frankly, I think the idea that allowing the exercise of free speech to be EXTENDED to corporations during electoral season is anti-Constitution. The Constitution exists solely to restrict government, and it is quite clear regarding free speech. Hence, corporations needn't have rights extended to them - they should already have those rights.

As an aside, I find this constant demonization of corporations from the left to be ironic and trite - ironic considering that, during this season of the healthcare debate corporations are the primary providers of insurance to workers; and trite considering the hypocrisy involved with ignoring the unions who are somehow allowed a pass on the restrictions so sought after for corporations (although one of them, I believe the SEIU, donated $60 MILLION to Obama).

Finally, need I remind you that our electoral process was chugging along just fine PRIOR to McCain/Feingold? Sure, soft money WAS a problem, but as it affected both parties equally, it really just cancelled itself out. Besides, soft money is still banned (which I agree with).

Oh come on, now. I know you're smarter than that.

Wait, you're going to take ONE sentence out of a paragraph supporting it, and claim that somehow it defaults itself?

There was a point there, and I clarified it in the following sentences. Either you just missed it or you're intentionally attempting to discredit the idea out of context.

Shame.