ADVISORY MEASURE ON
DEMOCRACY AND CORPORATIONS

CITY OF ARCATA, CALIFORNIA

(Activists in Arcata are helping push the following measure. For more information contact PO Box 27 Arcata CA 95518. If you have further questions - or ideas on how you can help - phone them at 707-822-2242 or email them at cienfuegos@igc.org . Their web address is www.monitor.net/duhc).

The people of the city of Arcata do ordain as follows:

WHEREAS, The U.S. Constitution establishes the principle that "We the People" hold sovereign power to govern ourselves;

WHEREAS, Historically in this nation, corporations were created to be and were regarded as artificial entities, chartered only to serve the public interest, cause no harm, and at all times be subordinate to the sovereign people;

WHEREAS, The California Constitution of 1879 contained the following passage (similar to many other state constitutions): " ... the exercise of the police power of the state shall never be so abridged or construed as to permit corporations to conduct their business in such manner as to infringe the rights of individuals or the general well-being of the State." (Article Xll, Section 8);

WHEREAS, A century ago, large corporations began an effort to transform the law and claim civil and political rights and privileges which were intended only for real human beings under the Constitution, including full participation in our democratic processes (such as unlimited speeding to influence elections);

WHEREAS, Over the last century, large corporations were also successful in removing the language in most state constitutions (including California's) which had asserted citizen authority over corporations;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the people of Arcata support the amending of the California Constitution so as to clearly declare the authority of citizens over all corporations. To this end, we request that our City Council co-sponsor (in cooperation with the drafters of this Initiative) two town hall meetings in the five months following passage of this ballot measure on the topic: "Can we have democracy when large corporations wield so much power and wealth under law?";

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the People of Arcata request that the city government of Arcata immediately act to establish, through the creation of an official committee, policies and programs which ensure democratic control over corporations conducting business within the city, in whatever ways are necessary to ensure the health and well-being of our community and its environment;

AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That the People of Arcata request our city government to immediately forward copies of this ballot measure to all of our elected representatives at the county, state, and federal levels, and to members of the press.

Controlling Corporations

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