In a democracy, the voice of the people is paramount, yet the growing influence of corporations threatens to drown out the voices of individual citizens. The proposed “Corporations Are Not People Act” addresses this critical issue by reaffirming that constitutional rights, such as free speech, are intended for living, breathing individuals, not corporate entities. This legislation is essential to safeguard our democratic principles, ensuring that political contributions and lobbying efforts are driven by the will of the people, not by corporate interests.
The core stipulations of this Act are straightforward yet powerful. It unequivocally states that corporations are not protected by the Constitution as living persons, thereby eliminating their claim to free speech rights. Moreover, it prohibits all corporate financial contributions to political campaigns and Political Action Committees (PACs), and bans corporate lobbying efforts aimed at Congress. Instead, only natural persons who are citizens and at least 18 years of age may contribute to political campaigns or PACs, with a maximum contribution limit of $10,000 per election period.
The urgency of this legislation cannot be overstated. Corporate influence in politics has reached unprecedented levels, undermining the democratic process and skewing policy decisions in favor of those with the deepest pockets. By enacting the “Corporations Are Not People Act,” we can restore the integrity of our elections and ensure that elected officials are accountable to their constituents, not corporate donors.
We call on our lawmakers to sponsor and champion this legislation. It is time to reclaim our democracy and reaffirm that it is the people, not corporations, who hold the ultimate power in our nation. This Act is not just a legal necessity but a moral imperative, vital for the health and future of our democratic system. Let us take this crucial step together, ensuring that every citizen’s voice is heard and valued equally in the halls of power.
Corporations Are Not People Act
Title I: General Provisions
Section 101: Short Title
This Act may be cited as the “Corporations Are Not People Act.”
Section 102: Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to clarify the distinction between corporations and natural persons, ensuring that constitutional rights intended for living individuals are not extended to corporations, and to regulate corporate influence in political processes.
Title II: Legal Definitions
Section 201: Definitions
For the purposes of this Act:
- Corporation: Any entity established under the laws of the United States or any state, including but not limited to companies, associations, partnerships, and other similar entities.
- Natural Person: A living, breathing human being.
- Political Campaign: An organized effort to influence the decision-making process within a specific group, particularly regarding the election of candidates to public office.
- Political Action Committee (PAC): An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, particularly at the federal level.
- Lobbying: Any attempt by individuals or private interest groups to influence the decisions of government, typically in the legislative or executive branches.
Title III: Constitutional Clarifications
Section 301: Corporations as Legal Entities
Corporations are recognized as legal entities but are not natural persons. Therefore, they do not possess constitutional rights afforded to natural persons under the U.S. Constitution.
Section 302: Free Speech Rights
Corporations do not have free speech rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The protections of free speech are reserved for natural persons.
Title IV: Political Contributions and Expenditures
Section 401: Prohibition on Corporate Contributions
Corporations are prohibited from contributing any financial resources, directly or indirectly, to any political campaign, candidate, or Political Action Committee (PAC).
Section 402: Restrictions on Individual Contributions
Only natural persons who are citizens of the United States and 18 years of age or older may contribute to political campaigns or PACs.
- Contributions by individuals shall not exceed $10,000 to any single political candidate or PAC during any election period.
- An election period is defined as the time from the official announcement of a candidate’s campaign until the conclusion of the election.
Section 403: Enforcement and Penalties
- Any corporation found in violation of Section 401 shall be subject to fines equal to twice the amount of the illegal contribution.
- Individuals found in violation of Section 402 shall be subject to fines and potential imprisonment, as determined by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Title V: Lobbying Restrictions
Section 501: Prohibition on Corporate Lobbying
Corporations are prohibited from engaging in lobbying activities directed at members of Congress or federal agencies.
Section 502: Individual Lobbying
Lobbying activities are only permitted by natural persons who must register with the appropriate regulatory body and adhere to all disclosure requirements.
Section 503: Enforcement and Penalties
- Corporations found in violation of Section 501 shall be subject to fines and restrictions on future business operations with the federal government.
- Individuals who fail to register or disclose lobbying activities as required under Section 502 shall be subject to fines and potential imprisonment.
Title VI: Implementation and Review
Section 601: Implementation Timeline
This Act shall take effect 180 days after its enactment to allow for necessary adjustments and compliance measures.
Section 602: Review and Report
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) shall review the implementation of this Act and submit a report to Congress within two years of its enactment, including recommendations for any necessary amendments or additional legislation.
Section 603: Severability
If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Act, and the application of its provisions to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected.
Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 701: Amendments to Other Laws
Any laws or provisions in conflict with this Act are hereby amended to the extent of the conflict to ensure consistency with the provisions of this Act.
Section 702: Rulemaking Authority
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) shall have the authority to promulgate regulations to implement and enforce the provisions of this Act.
Section 703: Authorization of Appropriations
Such sums as may be necessary are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to carry out the provisions of this Act.
This proposed legislative framework seeks to reinforce the distinction between corporations and natural persons, ensuring that constitutional rights and political influence are reserved for living individuals. By restricting corporate contributions and lobbying activities, the “Corporations Are Not People Act” aims to reduce corporate influence in politics and enhance the integrity of the democratic process.