3193 / 60.83% Yes votes ...... 2056 / 39.17% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Our nation's founders never intended for corporations to have any of the rights they now claim. Prior to the turn of the century, most states prohibited corporations from owning other corporations, prohibited corporate political contributions (still a felony in Wisconsin until 1953), and held corporate directors and stockholders fully liable for all harms and debts.

California's leaders were equally clear about corporations. Our state's Constitution once stated that corporations were not permitted "to conduct their business in such manner as to infringe the rights of individuals or the general well-being of the state." Unfortunately, in the late 19th century, corporate leaders began to dismantle these laws, ultimately resulting in a society where corporations control citizens rather than citizens controlling corporations.

If Arcatans reclaimed their authority over corporations doing business in our community, we could:

• Stop corporate chain stores from bankrupting locally-owned businesses
• Prohibit rather than simply regulate the poisoning of our water and air
• Refuse business licenses to corporations which have a history of consistently violating environmental or labor law
• and much more

VOTE YES ON MEASURE F.

s/ Paul Cienfuegos
Executive Director, Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County
s/ Stephan Brinkley
18-year Arcata Resident
s/ Jason Kirkpatrick
Vice-Mayor, Arcata
s/ Kevin Johnson
Co-Owner, Solutions
s/ Barbara Turner
Co-Owner, Northtown Books

(No arguments against Measure F were submitted)

WHEREAS, the U.S. Constitution established the principle that "We the People" hold sovereign power to govern ourselves;

WHEREAS, Historically in this nation, corporations were created to be and were regarded as artificial entities, chartered only to serve the public interest, cause ho harm, and at all times be subordinate to the sovereign people;

WHEREAS, The California Constitution of 1879 contained the following passage (similar to many other state constitutions): "......the exercise of the police power of the state shall never be so abridged or construed as to permit corporations to conduct their business in such manner as to infringe the rights of individuals or the general well-being of the State." (Article XII, Section 8)

WHEREAS, A century ago, large corporations began an effort to transform the law and claim civil and political rights and privileges which were intended only for real human beings under the Constitution, including full participation in our democratic processes (such as unlimited spending to influence elections);

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the People of Arcata support the amending of the California Constitution so as to clearly declare the authority of citizens over all corporations. To this end, we request that our City Council co-sponsor (in cooperation with the drafters of this Initiative) two town hall meetings in the five months following passage of this ballot measure on the topic: "Can we have democracy when large corporations wield so much power and wealth under the law?";

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the People of Arcata request that the city government of Arcata immediately act to establish, through the creation of an official committee, policies and programs which ensure democratic control over corporations conducting business within the city, in whatever ways are necessary to ensure the health and well-being of our community and its environment;

AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That the People of Arcata request our city government to immediately forward copies of this ballot measure to all of our elected representatives at the county, state and federal levels, and to members of the press.