Reclaiming Democracy: How Communities are Saying "NO" to Corporate Rights Video

In this excerpt from a longer presentation, Shannon Biggs, of Global Exchange, describes how more than 100 communities have enacted laws that place the rights of communities and nature over the claimed "rights" of corporations. It's a radical and inspiring approach that brings decision-making back to communities. Biggs is the Local Green Economy program director with Global Exchange. The full presentation also includes Thomas Linzey of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, and is available on DVD at http://www.peakmoment.tv

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theproducegarden: thanks!

PsyogiBottoms: As human cattle I think it is painfully clear that we have no rights. Thanks for clearing that up Bush Obama.

btigtime2: good luck with that there is not enough money or talent to undo the mess our corporate government has done... Its best to watch the whole thing crash now... I do not think it can be stopprd now

Velkoze1: We cant ask the government for help nor the corporations,whos left? Us slaves.

wreckerpecker: The saddest part is that none of this is or has been necessary.

HomesteadProvocateur: Shouldn't this be titled Reclaiming the Republic? We were never a Democracy. In fact we would not want to be a democracy, rule of law is better than rule of mob, no one can agree on any one methodology, and that is what allows the problem to perpetuate itself. The answer is in changing the laws towards our favor. I'm not saying I disagree with localizing the legislation, but most people honestly don't even know what the heck is going on, or their constitutional rights.

jojo808: we obviously have the right to blame shift . you have the right to not contribute to what you despise and show examples of promoting what is good.

PsyogiBottoms: That is exactly what I'm doing as a matter of fact. I suggest we all just sit down and shut the fuck up and stop contributing anything until we starve this beast to death. A free range slave is far more productive, but still a slave, unfortunately.

jojo808: yep. how is 'free range' still a slave when not contributing but weaned(weaning) ? I know it's hard to see options in the midst of drama and programing, but the 1st step is to know you can try. Try.

PsyogiBottoms: I suppose because all of the world is a farm for human cattle - your owners only allow you the perception of freedom (free range) but you are still under their ultimate control. All statist governments are just human farms - don't believe so, check your SS# or try not to pay your taxes. You'll see how truly free you are.

PsyogiBottoms: They are all just human cattle management techniques, it really doesn't matter what you call it. A monopoly on violence, that is all it is.

Sonar37: Sadly our government elected by the people has forgotten the real role it is supposed to play in the scheme of things. Our congress (Both Parties) are like a racing team of horses pulling a wagon that is out of control and headed for a cliff. no matter how we try to rein congress in and control the government they just don't listen and keep us all heading for the cliff at a break-neck pace. All congress people get in with good intention but get corrupted by power giving to lobbyists etc...

jojo808: Psyogi :sounds like all is lost . are there any realistic solutions, or is it all hopeless ?

PsyogiBottoms: That is the Trillion dollar question isn't it? lol Unfortunately as long as we live under the tyranny of Statism (or any 'Government') there is no hope. It would be like trying to remove the Mafia - but much much worse. They own everything, control everything, and have the monopoly on violence and can only exist through legalized theft...does look fairly hopeless I suppose. Acceptance is probably the first step, education the second (real education), and finally call it was it is - publicly.

bizskithead: democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch ,liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote ben franklin

PowerForGood: Harm? You should define that term. Would you have us all living back in the stone ages? Also, we are a country founded on freedom and property rights. Regulation is a restriction on both. Corporations are simply groups of people with a competitive profit driven goal (that is not bad, it is good). The real problem is lawyers and the perverted court system. Existing laws against polluting are already being circumvented by the corrupt political system. Dem party is the worst in this by the way.

spgil436: corporations are groups of people hiding behind legal immunity and collective privilege not shared by individuals, or groups of individuals gathering as communities to govern themselves. Property "rights" trump civli, human, and natural rights. That's a real problem, and yes it is what this nation was based upon. Has nothing to do with political party.

westkan: Is harm that hard to define? the USA was also founded on the principal of laws(regulation) passed by representatives of the people to do the nations business. The problem, one of many, is that the corps. have rights, but the responsability that you and I share for our actions.

westkan: I hav read/viewed report some communities protected THEIR rights using local legislation. I really don't know how often USA incorporated will allow that to happen

jojo808: USA inc? ? Last I looked was made up of us . What will WE allow ?

lambedan: I agree. A lot of people hate on corporations but then don't really suggest alternatives to how groups of people can voluntarily work together to accomplish something. There are some bad corporations that act irresponsibly and should be stopped, but I would hardly consider them a representative sample.

Author: peakmoment; Uploaded: Jun 15, 2009; Duration: 4:31; Views: 1009

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