Corporations are not people, and money is not speech. But thanks to a backwards decision by the United States Supreme Court that overturned decades of established legal precedent, corporations now have the same rights as flesh and blood human beings. Worse, their money is considered "political speech," invalidating many of the laws that keep American elections from drowning in a sea of corporate donations.



Taken together, these facts mean that corporations have free rein to pollute America's political process with corporate cash and influence-peddling -- at the expense of the political voices of real citizens like you and me.



Thankfully, we're not left totally powerless in this situation. A constitutional amendment can reduce corporate influence in politics and put power back in the hands of people who aren't mega-rich. Cities like Los Angeles and New York have passed resolutions calling on Congress to amend the constitution to re-establish two simple principles: 1. That corporations are not entitled to the same rights as United States citizens , and 2. That financial contributions to political candidates are not "free speech."



If enough of us around the country demand it -- in every small town, big city, and state -- we'll build a big enough national consensus to amend the constitution to restore the balance of power between the citizens of the United States and corporations. Real change starts with each and every one of us. Please sign my petition asking the members of the Portland, Maine City Council to call on Congress to amend the Constitution to eliminate "corporate personhood."



Thank you.