In his State Of The Union address, Barack Obama recognized how the recent Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission has changed the political landscape.
In the wake of that change, the first "corporate person" to run for Congress, Murray Hill Inc., has announced its candidacy in Maryland's 8th Congressional District.
As Campaign Manager for Murray Hill for Congress, I will be updating Huffington Post readers with the latest from the campaign trail. In just the last 24 hours, our cause has received a tremendous boost--starting with the President.
In his speech, Obama said,
With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests -- including foreign corporations -- to spend without limit in our elections. I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people. And I'd urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to correct some of these problems.
(To which U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel "Am I On Camera?" Alito said, "no no no.")
And constitutional scholar John Bonifaz says,
"While some may say it is absurd to think that a corporation would run for public office, the real fiction can be found in the Court's ruling treating corporations as persons under the First Amendment. It is time to restore the First Amendment to its original purpose: to protect people, not corporations."
Well, Mr. President and Mr. Bonifaz, bring it on!
Corporations are people too--with the same rights and privileges enjoyed by humans. The Supreme Court says so! The courts have devoted endless attention to the rights of the "unborn," but finally, they are recognizing the rights of the never born.
Murray Hill, Inc.'s run for Congress is, therefore, a milestone in the struggle for civil rights.
And the Murray Hill for Congress campaign is drawing support from all over. Our YouTube video is spreading through the Internet, our Facebook page brings in new Friends and Fans every hour, and Designated Human Eric Hensal appeared on the Thom Hartmann show as well as Russian TV. (How's that for a juxtaposition?)
And now, we're even selling mousepads. Our message?
Corporations are people too!
If you agree, leave comments below and join our campaign!