Corporate Personhood.
Corporations have valid viewpoints that should be allowed to be freely expressed.
May 19, 2010.
Should corporations have rights? I tend to agree with the U.S. Supreme Court and believe they should have the right to express their opinions as it relates to both political and non-political activities.
Corporations, after all, are simply organized groups of people, engaging in business and other types of activities. Corporations exist on the behest of the people who fund them, in most cases the people who buy their products or services. Other corporations exist based on donations and gifts by their local supporters, such as frequently is the case with not-for-profit corporations.
Corporations have valid and important views to express. Corporations have unique insight on how products and services that many choose to consume are made. Corporations also employee individuals. They should be allowed to speak freely on issues of concern, and let the public know what they think of various issues and representatives.
When corporations share legitimate concerns with the public it is a good thing. People need to be more informed about the issues of the day, and be encouraged to get out and vote. Simply expressing a viewpoint, does not make a person vote one way or another. An advertisement on television, doesn't make a person automatically go out and buy a product or vote for a politician.
More speech is always desirable. While it's the job of Congress and Federal Trade Commission to decide what kind of disclaimers must be attached, neither should be in the business of prohibiting speech. Many thoughtful politicians have sought to create laws that mandate disclosure on television and radio ads. This is a good thing, but it should not be limited just to so-called political ads.
Speech does not win or lose elections, it only informs voters. Politicians can't be bought or sold based on independent advertising — as the best that an ad can do is inform voters about an election — it can't actually force people to go out and vote. People are independent, and will choose based on what they believe is right for themselves and their community.
