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Proposal to ENDORSE PassMassAmendment’s ballot initiative
WHEREAS the Massachusetts Constitution’s main intent is to promote the Common Good and strengthen the Social Compact;
WHEREAS the Citizens of Massachusetts are alarmed by the unbridled greed, disrespect for the environment and the audacity of the idea that corporations have any constitutional rights, is cause for action;
WHEREAS the Citizens of Massachusetts feel that to protect their state, they must embark a ballot initiative to ensure that governance of their state reflects The People's wishes:
Be it resolved that the 2014 Convention of the Massachusetts Democratic Party endorse PassMassAmendment's ballot initiative to amend the Massachusetts Constitution based on “Corporations Are Not People, Money Is Not Speech”.
And be it further resolved that we encourage leaders and activists of good will to petition this fall to help get enough signatures to put this question on the ballot.
And be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to all appropriate media.
The language of the ballot initiative is as follows:
Section 1 Corporations are not people and may be regulated. The rights afforded to the human inhabitants of the Commonwealth, under this Constitution, are not applicable to corporations, limited liability companies, any corporate entity or any artificial person. Any references to persons, citizens, inhabitants, subjects, men, people, individuals or like terms in this Constitution, are not to be construed in any way to be referring to a corporation, limited liability company, any corporate entity or any artificial person. Corporations, limited liability companies, any corporate entity or any artificial person, shall do business in this state under the regulation of laws passed by the legislature which shall set the rights of such entities to do business to promote the common good and strengthen the social compact of this Commonwealth.
Section 2 Money is not free speech and may be regulated. To protect our political process and the functioning of government to serve in the best interests of the citizens of the Commonwealth, money shall not be considered free speech. The legislature shall have the power to regulate the raising and spending of money and inkind equivalents for any primary or election of a public official and for ballot measures. This shall include regulation of any advertising for or against any candidate in a primary or election for public office and any ballot measure.
Section 3 Nothing contained in this Amendment shall be construed to abridge the freedom of the press.
