HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0445.006 2014-2016Murashige, Laura
From: R. Elton Johnson, III <precis@lava.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 2015 11:52 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony in support of Resolution Nos. 2015-266 and 2015-267
Attachments: LtrOLAtoHawaiiCtyCreResNos2015_266and267_20150901.pdf
Attached please find testimony in support of Hawai'i County Council Resolution Nos. 2015-266 and 2015-267.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
R. Elton Johnson, III
Open Law Alliance
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September 1, 2015
County Council
County of Hawai'i
Hawai'i County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Resolution No. 266-15, Urging HawaiTs Congressional Delegation to Propose and Pass an Amendment Clarifying that
Corporations are not people with Constitutional Rights, and that Unlimited Campaign Spending is not Free Speech
Resolution No. 26715, Requesting the Hawai'i State Association of Counties to Include in its 2016 Legislative
Package a Resolution Urging HawaiTs Congressional Delegation to Propose and Pass an Amendment Clarifying that
Corporations are not People with Constitutional Rights, and that Unlimited Campaign Spending is not Free Speech
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Dear Chair Kanuha, Vice Chair Poindexter, and Members of the Council:
Thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony in strong support of Resolution Nos. 266-15 and 267-15. One would think that it
goes without saying that when the Constitution refers to the freedom of speech (and the freedom to exercise religion, and to
assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances, and so on), it is the freedom of human beings, of natural
persons, that is thus affirmed. But recent history makes it clear that one must be explicit about such things.
Natural, human persons can mediate their own self interest with the interest of others. Our speech and action comes from this
crucible of human consciousness. Artificial persons, and in particular for-profit entities such as business corporations, however,
exist to make a profit, and indeed are typically required to further this narrow purpose for their shareholders.
When the country's highest court effectively conflates natural and artificial persons, and equates money with speech, our
democratic process is threatened by an unprecedented tsunami of corrupting special interest money. As you know, common
sense restrictions on such influence have been removed by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 2010 Citizens United v. FEC, 130
S.Ct. 876 ruling and other decisions.
By simply stating the obvious, the Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that your Resolution Nos. 266-15 and 267-15 support
will help to defend the fundamental integrity of our constitutional democracy. Please pass these important Resolutions.
Mahalo,
R. Elton Johnson, III
Open Law Alliance
1050 Bishop Street, Suite 110, Honolulu, HI 96813 1 808.383.8897 1 precis@lava.net