• Common Ground •

What we see as "common ground" often defines how we see the world. In a country where we value our privacy, we also are generally vocal about what we think of others' actions. The "Dred Scott Decision", was a lawsuit decided by the United States Supreme Court in 1857 that ruled that people of African descent, whether or not they were slaves, could never be citizens of the United States. There has been discussion in the press lately about comparisons made between the Dred Scott decision and Roe v Wade. The definition of what constitutes a life and what lives are protected under the constitution. It appalls me that while this discussion on one hand works to agitate the emotions and inflame the sensibilities of citizens to garner support for those yet unborn, the same administration and it's designees in our courts have simply dismissed the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution that specifically protects individuals rights. Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005)[1], was a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States involving the use of eminent domain to transfer land from one private owner to another private owner to further economic development. The last part of the Fifth amendment states, "nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." While seemingly different, the two events are really more closely related than appears.

In the 1600's law began to recognize companies as entities with rights of individuals. By 1819 corporate charters were ruled to have constitutional protection. In 1970 the 7th amendment right to trial by jury was granted to corporations. This was closely followed in 1976 by a corporation successfully claiming the 5th amendment protection against double jeopardy. But, 1978 was a real banner year for corporations during which a Massachusetts law that banned corporate spending to influence state ballot initiatives, even spending by corporate political action committees, was struck down. Spending money to influence politics is now a corporate "right." I suppose that this had to do with the expediency of gathering wealth which has been a focus of human endeavor. Through the course of American History the rights of corporations as individuals have routinely been strengthened. This has really escalated in the recent past yet corporations are still held to a different standard than individuals.

How this plays out is yet to be seen but I am very troubled by the recent impact of the Bush administration on the checks and balances of the Judiciary, Legislative and Executive branches of government.

I understand that many if not the majority of people do not want to engage in "politics" or discuss "politics". That is truly a tragedy. The foundation of our self governance is based upon the activism of our citizenry. If we didn't tolerate corruption in our local politics there would be a trickle up effect because we would have ensured that our representatives understood that fact. Voter apathy, the banquet setting at which we are serving up our freedoms and privileges so nearly lost time and again to tyrants, is permitting the manipulators from within to ensure that if and when our ire is awakened sufficiently to motivate a reaction we will no longer legally be able to have an impact.

The perspective lost to the specter of 'terrorism' blinds us to the reality that not only have the actions of our government, the one we are responsible for, caused tens of thousands of deaths and maimings for our own 'citizen soldiers' but an even greater toll in ill will and suffering around the world. So, we hear that Halliburton is moving it's head quarters to Dubai, closer to the oil tit at which it suckles and to the war that it is gorging on. Do you think that our billions of dollars paid them for service will earn any income tax to help in a small part repay the opportunity to thrive, or do they have new friends now?

Charity begins at home. Health begins at home. Responsibility begins at home. Self governance begins at home. Community begins at home. Security begins at home.

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