Rex Taylor Smith engages the internet to develop ideas, style and an audience.

Perhaps the Supreme Court decision with the most potential to change the nature of our democracy and the way our country is run is the January 21, 2010 ruling Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, in which the high court ruled that corporations have the same rights as individuals, and are thus entitled by the U.S. Constitution to exercise unlimited financial influence on elections and other processes of government. This decision moves us dangerously in the direction of becoming an oligarchy. An oligarchy is a form of government in which all power is vested in a few or dominant class.

There is a movement under way to amend the constitution to establish that human beings, not corporations, are persons with constitutional rights. It would also establish that money is not free speech. We must act to guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count. We should act to protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate “preemption” actions by global, national, and state governments.

To sign a petition to support such an amendment go to http://movetoamend.org/.