With all due respect to Congressman Keith Ellison, the amendment that he has introduced (http://ellison.house.gov/...) has two FATAL FLAWS in it.
1) it does NOT state clearly, and unequivocally, that "Rights recognized under the Constitution belong to human beings only." Instead, it uses a very vague statement that "because corporations and other business organizations are not natural persons or citizens, Congress and the States may regulate . . ."
2) it does NOT state clearly, and unquivocally, that "Money is not speech." Instead, it creates a HUGE LOOPHOLE by saying that "Congress and the States may regulate the disbursement of funds for political activity by FOR-PROFIT corporations." (EMPHASIS added).
Citizens United, the phony corporation that was the focus of Citzens United v. FEC, was set up as a NON-PROFIT corporation. Ellison's amendment would not even apply to Citizens United, Inc.!
More practically, with its HUGE LOOPHOLE for non-profit corporations, Congressman Ellison's amendment is IMPOSSIBLE to pass. Why would any conservative, who might otherwise support a good, strong, amendment ending "corporate personhood," agree to an amendment that would prevent Conservative/Republican big money donors - the Corporations - from making political donations, but which would NOT prevent the liberal's big money donors - the non-profit Unions, and the non-profit issue advocacy groups like the Sierra Fund - from donating?
To see what an amendment that is serious about ending corporate personhood, and that is serious about getting money out of politics, looks like, go to www.movetoamend.org/amendment, and read "the MOVE TO AMEND Amendment." MTA's language is the language that was approved, unanimously, yesterday by L.A. City Council! Check it out!
Steve Justino
Move to Amend, National Action Coordinator, OCCUPY THE COURTS - 1.20.2012!
www.movetoamend.org/occupythecourts