LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | Founders excluded corporations

To the editor:

As interesting as the concept that corporations (artificial beings) have the same rights as human beings under the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, there is nothing in either writings that support or even infer that corporations have equal human rights as those specifically directed to humans (“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”).

At the time these documents were prepared there were giant corporations in and near the colonies that received royal charters from the kings and queens of various European countries providing specific freedoms to them above and beyond the freedoms given to the people. The Hudson Bay Group is an example.The Founding Fathers were adamant that these royal charter organizations be excluded from the natural rights of the people.

In other words, regarding human rights and freedom, there was to be nothing and no one limiting those human right freedoms. Be assured that corporations and all kinds of “Power People,” those driven to use their powers completely independent of all, will of course use the “human rights” concept to achieve their goals.

James R. Johnston

Oak Harbor

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