Former presidential candidate, and 2 state gubernatorial candidates criticize decision granting corporations 'free speech' rights, ability to buy elections in California
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE
SACRAMENTO (January 27, 2010) - A former Presidential candidate from California - and two current California gubernatorial candidates - are strongly criticizing last week's U.S. Supreme Court case that, in effect, allows corporations more opportunity to buy elections in California, and around the U.S.
The Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission decision nullified legislation efforts to limit corporate influence in elections, by ruling corporate contributions to candidates are "free speech."
"I deplore the ruling, which enables corporations to corrupt what's left of our democracy. This is a slap in the face to hardworking working men and women all over our state, who are struggling to barely make ends meet," said Deacon Alexander, seeking the Green Party nomination for governor. "This case may be remembered as the beginning of the end to forever erase humanity and grant privilege to corporations," he explained.
Laura Wells, another candidate for the Green Party's nomination for governor, said the court decision makes it even easier for Chevron - the state's largest corporation - to influence lawmakers. "The largest corporation in California is Chevron. While Chevron takes its case to court and our lawmakers to reduce taxes it pays, Chevron takes more from us at the gas pump. Corporate contributions are low-risk, high-return investments, to influence our politicians who make the laws."
David Cobb, a California resident who was the Green Party's presidential candidate in 2004, said the court's ruling establishing corporation "personhood" and overturning democratic efforts to reign in corporate influence over elections means the people have to take back their own Democracy.
"There is now a long-term effort to make the U.S. Constitution more democratic, amending it to restore the power of the people over corporations," said Cobb, who is with Democracy Unlimited in Humboldt County.
"It's no surprise that Californians are at the lead in this movement to firmly establish that money of corporations is not free speech and that human beings, not corporations, are entitled to constitutional rights,"added Cobb. More information on his effort can be found at www.movetoamend.org.
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Contacts:
Susan King, Spokesperson, 415.823.5524,
Derek Iversen, Spokesperson, 323.481.8984,
Cres Vellucci, Press Secretary, 916.996.9170,
The Green Party of California
PO Box 2828
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
Web: http://www.cagreens.org
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