Supreme threat The Supreme Court issued a decision this week that may be the single most dangerous blow to democracy ever conceived. By granting individual rights to corporations they have undermined the very premise our country was founded upon. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights were created to protect individual rights from being trampled by rich and powerful groups like the court of King George III. By granting individual rights to corporations the Supreme Court is creating openings for a new set of royals to arise. Incorporation was created to allow individuals to shield themselves from the dangers of being in business. This allowed business and industry to grow and prosper in ways it might otherwise not have done. Corporations diffuse risk among many individuals, making the risks easier to face for anyone growing a business. Instead of doing business as a sole proprietor (read that as “individual”), one can incorporate and gain a certain amount of protection not afforded individuals in business. Special rights applying only to corporations come with its establishment. So, you create a corporation so as not to function as an individual. Now the Supreme Court says corporations are individuals. I defy anyone on the Supreme Court to produce any individual whose rights had been infringed upon by the ruling that was overturned. Placing restrictions upon a corporation in no way restricts the rights of the individuals who exist under the umbrella of incorporation. By granting individual rights to corporations the Supreme Court has, in effect, created super persons that have not only individual rights but a second layer of “corporate individual” rights. If a corporation breaks the law is it now possible to hold the entire corporation at fault? Should every share holder be completely responsible for corporate behavior? If not then how can they have rights separate from, but equal to, an individual’s own rights? And, as it has been pointed out by many other people this week, how are we to know with any certainty who is behind the veil of the corporate structure? We cannot. We should all be very afraid for our democracy at this moment in time and I believe there should be a massive outcry from the people to remove from office the persons who have visited this plague upon our house. Impeach them now!
J. Grant • Mesick
Go slow on biomass The Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council (NMEAC) would like to praise Traverse City Light & Power (TCLP) for their goal to use 30% renewable energy by the year 2020. This is an ambitious and worthy goal that should be supported by the entire Grand Traverse region. The question is... how should this goal be achieved? NMEAC also praises TCLP for its willingness to hold two public forums on February 25 and February 27. It is hoped these forums will discuss all forms of renewable energy including the pros and cons of building biomass plants in or near Traverse City. Let the people of the city and region freely express their concerns and ideas and help decide which forms of renewable energy are the best fit for Traverse City. In recent weeks, many concerns about building biomass plants have been expressed. Let those concerns have a full airing at the upcoming forums. Some have even suggested possible alternatives to biomass and these should be given serious consideration. It is also important for TCLP to further explore energy conservation to help achieve its goals as well as work with the Grand Vision Energy Group. There may be additional ways to reduce our energy use and lower demand for electricity over the next three to five years. Please slow down any final decisions on biomass plants until the community can discuss all of the alternatives at these open forums scheduled for late February.
Greg Reisig, Chair • NMEAC
Digital threat to jobs Concerning your column, “The Great Job Eater,” all I can say to you is “Amen, brother!” Are we willing to pay a little more out of our own tight pockets to save jobs here in the U.S.? First it was manufacturing (it’s cheaper made overseas!), now it’s our service industries (it’s cheaper online!). All so we can have a few more toys. If we don’t change our ways, we won’t have ANY toys to play with; we will have been bought and paid for by another country, and owned by them. To a very large degree, the power is in our hands, not the government’s. Obama can give tax incentives left and right to small businesses, etc., but if we refuse to support them, we run the risk of losing our freedoms we hold dear and welcome the hangman’s noose.
Cecilia Droz • Lake Ann
Looking for leaders Considering that one family has left Michigan every 12 minutes in recent years, you would think politicians in Lansing would wake up and realize that partisan gamesmanship will not turn around our great state. Michigan cannot afford -- literally and figuratively -- to continue waving goodbye to her future. With 280,000 jobs lost in 2009 and 22,000 students expected to leave elementary and secondary schools for a brighter future in another state this year, the challenges may be daunting, but they aren’t insurmountable. We have the workers, agriculture and entrepreneurs, the innovation-ready universities, and abundant natural resources to overcome the Lost Decade and remake this state for the 21st century. All that is missing is the political leadership to move Michigan forward. Our great state deserves leaders willing to put Michigan first and work across the aisle in the tradition of former governors Romney and Milliken.
Dennis Lennox • Drain Commissioner, County of Cheboygan
War is no solution President Obama has asked Congress for an additional $33 billion on top of $708 billion for the Defense Department to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This $33 billion will mostly go to expand the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan along with Predator and Reaper drone attacks. These pilotless drones are used for surveillance and attack missions. Over 1,000 civilians have been killed in these attacks and the drones terrify women and children by their presence. As we watch the heroic actions of Americans and our service personnel in Haiti, and see the gratitude and respect for their actions around the world. I am reminded of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hatred cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” War does not work to bring peace and democracy. We must be a force for justice and peace around the world if we are to have peace and security in America.
Jo Anne Beemon • Antrim County
Correction To clarify the article on Shirley Vinson last week, the Child Protective Services in Utah conducted an investigation of Vinson before moving to terminate her parental rights of her toddler daughter and newborn baby boy. CPS had concerns about Vinson’s ability to parent, due to her anger problems, and because Vinson exposed her daughter to scenes of domestic violence. The CPS also alleged that Vinson, while homeless, stayed with strangers, who had alcohol and drug problems. Vinson voluntarily gave up her rights.
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