February 16, 2011- MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont lawmakers are mulling whether to ask for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to clarify that corporations aren't people.
The issue stems from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year that said that when it comes to campaign contributions, corporations enjoy the same First Amendment free-speech rights that people do.
The court's 5-4 ruling, in the case of Citizens United versus the Federal Election Commission, has led some to fear that it would open the floodgates for corporate money to take control of American politics.
A Vermont Senate panel is considering a resolution calling on Congress to approve a constitutional amendment and put it before the states for ratification, saying corporations aren't people.
