To the Editor:

Within the recent ordinance passed by a small township in Pennsylvania lies a latent power to fundamentally restructure the role that corporations play in our democracy, for the better. The precedent-setting ordinance refuses to recognize corporate claims on civil and constitutional rights, rights that have been illegitimately granted to corporations since the late 1800s. These court decisions paved the path to our current situation in which gigantic corporations recklessly pursue profits at the expense of intact communities, a healthy environment, the dignity of employees and a functioning democracy. The people of the U.S. need to join in one voice and loudly declare that corporations are artificial legal entities not flesh and blood living beings and therefore should not be afforded the same rights as people.

Sincerely,

Citizen X

Last Updated February 2003