Bill of rights Quote by Thom Hartmann
““since 1886, the Bill of Rights has been explicitly applied to corporations. Perhaps most astoundingly, no branch of the U.S. government ever formally enacted corporate personhood “rights”: • The public never voted on it. • It was never enacted into law by any legislature. • It was never even stated by a decision after arguments before the Supreme Court.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Commentary on Corporate Personhood, 2020
The Bill of Rights has been applied to corporations without a direct democratic mandate or explicit legislation, raising questions about legitimacy.
In simple terms: Corporate rights lack clear voter approval or legislative enactment.
Key Takeaway
Question the basis of corporate personhood.
Themes
law
politics
civil rights
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- legal debates
- policy making
- activist campaigns
- court challenges
Key Concepts
Constitutional law
corporate personhood
democratic legitimacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How should corporate rights be granted?
- What democratic processes could legitimize them?
A Different Perspective
The application may be justified by precedent and practical governance.
