Of course it was bound to happen. What with corporations being defined as people now, it was only a matter of time before a company had the gall to step up and actually make a run for congress, instead of funding some expensive manchurian candidate. I'd prefer it that way anyway, either a real corporation runs or politicians will really have to don the NASCAR suits.
Here is the link to their page, Murray Hill Inc, and here is an excerpt from their press release:
Following the recent Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission to allow unlimited corporate funding of federal campaigns, Murray Hill Inc. today announced it was filing to run for U.S. Congress and released its first campaign video on Youtube,(video below).
"Until now," Murray Hill Inc. said in a statement, "corporate interests had to rely on campaign contributions and influence peddling to achieve their goals in Washington. But thanks to an enlightened Supreme Court, now we can eliminate the middle-man and run for office ourselves."
Murray Hill Inc. is believed to be the first "corporate person" to exercise its constitutional right to run for office. As Supreme Court observer Lyle Denniston wrote in his SCOTUSblog, "If anything, the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission conferred new dignity on corporate "persons," treating them — under the First Amendment free-speech clause — as the equal of human beings."
Murray Hill Inc. agrees. "The strength of America," Murray Hill Inc. says, "is in the boardrooms, country clubs and Lear jets of America’s great corporations. We’re saying to Wal-Mart, AIG and Pfizer, if not you, who? If not now, when?"
Murray Hill Inc. plans on spending "top dollar" to protect its investment. "It’s our democracy," Murray Hill Inc. says, "We bought it, we paid for it, and we’re going to keep it."
Or the video here with transcript:
It's a new day, until now, corporations influence politics with high paid lobbyist and backroom deals, however, as much as a corporation can give to politicians, we could never be absolutely sure they would do our bidding. But today, thanks to an enlightened Supreme Court, corporations now have all the rights the founding fathers meant for us. It's our democracy, we bought it, we paid for it, we're going to keep it, that's why MHI is taking democracy's next step, running for Congress. The way we see it, Corporate America has been the driving force behind congress for years, but now it's time we got behind the wheel ourselves. MHI will bring enlightened self interest and corporate accounting to government to put business first. It is a vision for the future we can all be proud of. Now that democracy is for sale, MHI is offering top dollar. Vote MHI for Congress, for the best democracy money can buy.
I'm Eric Hensal as designated human and managing partner of Murray Hill Inc, and we approve this message.
I don't know about you, but I'm thinkin' this may be possible in the future if this ruling goes by without a scratch, doesn't seem likely but you know how reality is. If you check this diary (if you already haven't), you'll see the real consequences of Citizens United vs FEC. But I believe Democrats, mainly those in the House, will be able to stop this before election time. But, usually, reality in its harshest bites you in the ass anyway.