January 14, 2013
Securities and Exchange Comm.
Dear Securities and Exchange Comm.,
Richard,
I do not care what the Supreme Court says Corporations should not have the all the rights of an individual in our society. They primarily exist as a means to achieve economic ends while shielding individual investors from may of the responsibilities of individual citizens. Furthermore, they almost exclusively pursuit their financial goals regardless of the implications of this to the country in which they operate. As evidence of this look at their record in environmental pollution. Therefore, their primary motivation in participating in the political process to gain monetary benefits to the corporation. At a minimum they should be required to make a public accounting in a timely fashion of any political contributions they make. By a timely fashion I mean in a time frame that would allow the public and shareholders to have that information before they voted for the candidate receiving that contribution. If the contribution is to a party rather than an individual then the notice of it for public release should be at the time of the contribution.
Richard Staley