and the Theft of Human Rights.
Unequal Protection: The Rise of Corporate Dominance and the Theft of Human
Rights
by Thom Hartmann
"Unequal Protection should be in the hands of every thinking American. If
we do not awaken soon, democracy will be replaced by a new 'Third Reich' of
corporate tyranny. To be aware of the danger is the responsibility of each
of us. No one has told us the truth better than Thom Hartmann. Read it!"
--Gerry Spence, author of Give Me Liberty
To say the bookshelves are flooded with political fodder these days is an
understatement. Some blame the state of the nation on "Stupid White Men",
others talk about "Winning the War of Liberty over Liberalism". No matter
where you look or what you read, the mudslinging is intense. At times,
these authors make EMINEM's rap "battles" with gangsters in the movie "8
Mile" look like an episode of the Mickey Mouse Club.
Unequal Protection, however, is not one of these books. It is an historical
documentary of sorts that traces the history of the corporation and its
role in society from the East India Company, through the FORTUNE 500 of
today. It examines the people, actions, beliefs, and mistakes that have led
to the extreme concentration of power and wealth among a select few global
corporations.
While laying the foundation for the future of the United States, keeping
power in the hands of the people and preventing institutions similar to the
East India Company from gaining unlimited economic and political power was
one of the key drivers. For many years corporations were kept relatively
well in check and responsible to the people and governments that granted
them the right to exist.
The passage of the 14th amendment, intended to give all persons (not
corporations) equal rights, combined with a ruling in single court case
that has been mistakenly interpreted to define corporations as "persons"
like you and me opened the door to all kinds of crazy claims by corporations.
Subsequent claims and court rulings have directly and indirectly granted
corporations virtually unbridled power through creative legislation and
enabled some to operate with no consequences whatsoever for damaging and
deadly actions.
"Unequal Protection" also discusses of NAFTA, which appears to have granted
corporations the authority to override what people and sovereign nations
have determined to be in their own best interest. This may include
protecting local jobs and economies, banning Frankenfoods with the
potential to disrupt and/or destroy the food supply and outlawing toxic
additives or chemicals known to have adverse effects on public health and
the environment.
The pursuit of profit is a necessary and healthy part of a democracy and
free market economy. However, when it is the exclusive focus, to the
detriment of the environment, the commons, and the health and well being of
the people that make up societies and corporations, its time to take back
the reigns. When corporations factor in the human and environmental costs
associated with doing business and can be held accountable for their
actions will real change begin.
Through the acceptance of corporations as persons in the legal sense, we've
come full circle to facilitate and reward the types of actions and
behaviors of the East India Company that this country originally fought so
hard to get away from.
Unequal Protection is an outstanding work. It's history with a perspective,
but does not in any way sink to the political mudslinging ways of other
books that may be classified in a similar category
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1579546277/002-6116168-1874449?vi=glance
