Exactly 240 years ago the United States Founding Fathers declared independence from the British Empire, and agreed to an arrangement of the thirteen colonies to become a federation. On July 4th, 1776, they signed the Declaration of Independence.
Most of the reasons for the American Revolution were financial, with the heavy tax burden levied by King George of England likely at the top of the list. A close second was the gouging done by European corporations of the day, Notably the Dutch East India Trading Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company. Their shenanigans were not so different from their modern progeny.
Strikingly, along with building a democracy of sorts, our forefathers were attempting to limit corporate influence in this new nation as well.
[From ReclaimingDemocracy.org] After fighting a revolution to end this exploitation, our country’s founders retained a healthy fear of corporate power and wisely limited corporations exclusively to a business role. Corporations were forbidden from attempting to influence elections, public policy, and other realms of civic society.
Initially, the privilege of incorporation was granted selectively to enable activities that benefited the public, such as construction of roads or canals. Enabling shareholders to profit was seen as a means to that end. The states also imposed conditions (some of which remain on the books, though unused) like these*:
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Corporate charters (licenses to exist) were granted for a limited time and could be revoked promptly for violating laws.
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Corporations could engage only in activities necessary to fulfill their chartered purpose.
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Corporations could not own stock in other corporations nor own any property that was not essential to fulfilling their chartered purpose.
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Corporations were often terminated if they exceeded their authority or caused public harm.
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Owners and managers were responsible for criminal acts committed on the job.
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Corporations could not make any political or charitable contributions nor spend money to influence law-making.
For 100 years after the American Revolution, legislators maintained tight control of the corporate chartering process. Because of widespread public opposition, early legislators granted very few corporate charters, and only after debate. Citizens governed corporations by detailing operating conditions not just in charters but also in state constitutions and state laws. Incorporated businesses were prohibited from taking any action that legislators did not specifically allow. States also limited corporate charters to a set number of years. Unless a legislature renewed an expiring charter, the corporation was dissolved and its assets were divided among shareholders.
Sadly, since the 1800s corporations have grown and infiltrated our lives in every way, and not for the better. As much as the American Revolution was about self-governance, it was also about redefining the role of corporations.
So, exactly 240 years later, it’s clear another revolution is called for. Our government rots under elitist influences. Our land is polluted and losing topsoil at unprecedented rate. Our oceans are fished out, and species are dying off like it’s the end of an age.
Our people are under siege across the planet, too. The horrific and ongoing actions of the proponents of Permanent War [read Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Ratheon, etc], need to be undercut. The fossil fuel industry and agribiz monsters like Monsanto must be stopped. Mining empires that devastate whole ecosystems. They’re all super-predators that must be brought to heel.
Which brings us to the rather pathetic presidential ‘choice’ of Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. This is not a choice we deserve, but it’s the choice we’re stuck with due the elitist mindset and corporate propaganda we’ve been subjected to for generations.
This is also why Bernie Sanders seems like such a breath of fresh air. He talks about the real issues we face, and has integrity with his past positions and actions. He has yet to become the true peace candidate we require, but he far outshines the Clinton and Trump.
So the question, as always, is how do we play it now? This July 4th and ongoing from here?
For starters, we hold our space and our ground, letting go the constant drama corporate media feeds us. Whether China or Zika or Brexit or the Olympics, take all that ‘news’ with a grain of salt, and do not give in to fear. This revolution is one of peace and love.
Second, we dig within to discern our past traumas, as these old traumas offer the ‘hooks’ with which the controllers control us. This New Age is emerging because we are awakening, seeing more clearly the world as it is, and appreciating that it only changes as we change ourselves. As we learn and see with forgiveness and gratitude, the world reflects our ideas and feelings back to us.
Third, we need to connect, to find and align and bring ourselves together around the causes that matter to us. This is what is happening with Bernie’s Revolution, though this revolution started before Bernie and will continue regardless of his decisions. This is the long-awaited and much anticipated Dawning of the New Age. It’s going to be messy. The controlling elites will not go away quietly. But they see the writing on the wall as well, and it is our hope that they not only stop resisting what needs to happen, but join us in creating this new culture of love and peace.
I cannot help but think, if they could still communicate today, that they would agree. It's time for revolution.
