Corporate personhood

As should be expected from Republican corporatists, those who profit most from screwing poor people through predatory lending are whining like banshees now that Congress is finally taking on their abusive practices. Their big new worry comes in the form of legislation being proposed by Barney Frank (D-Mass.), the chairman of the House Financial Services panel.

According to The Hill, Frank's bill builds on some excellent work done last session by two of North Carolina's most effective Congressmen, Brad Miller and Mel Watt.

Many of the left-right conflicts facing our country today rest on some basic assumptions about the rights of corporations. This is of increasing interest to me because it fuels the passion of free-market fundamentalists and their all out assault on democracy.

Over the weeks and months ahead, I hope to be educating myself (and you) about the insidious takeover of all aspects of our culture and government by global corporations. In the meantime, I hope you'll read this excellent piece by Thom Hartmann.