As we get ready to step into 2024, it is with great pride and gratitude that we reflect on the incredible strides made by Move to Amend in the past year.

Despite being a small, entirely grassroots movement, our collective efforts have resonated far and wide, shaking the foundations of corporate influence. Our commitment to passing the We the People Amendment - HJR 54, remains unwavering, and we invite you to stand alongside us in shaping a future where the people, not corporate interests, govern our nation.

The East India Company was founded on this date in 1600. It was chartered (i.e. licensed) by the British Crown to trade in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia and later with East Asia. It eventually became the largest corporation on earth.

  East India Company flag, 1801

The company achieved not only its main purpose of facilitating economic trade (involving spices, tea, silk, opium… and slaves). It was also given the authority to colonize and rule. The corporation was in essence the government over large parts of India that extended British imperialism with the capacity to administer laws and collect taxes. It had its own army that was twice the size of the British force to enforce laws and to quell popular uprisings. 

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On this "corporate rule" anniversary, please make a New Year’s resolution to (re)commit to working together to affirm our rights over corporate "rights." Start by generously contributing to our end-of-year financial match drive. We urgently need to reach our goal to start 2023 on a strong footing.

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The corporation’s trade monopoly in parts of the world included the monopoly of tea sales in the American colonies, thanks to the Tea Act passed by the British Parliament. This sparked the “Boston Tea Party” in December, 1773.

Over several centuries, the corporation and the British Crown and elites in the government worked hand-in-hand to economically, politically and militarily plunder people and resources.

There is no single corporation today as dominant as the East India Company at its peak - though ExxonMobil Corporation, for example, may be close. However, business corporations collectively are much more powerful today in determining economic, political and military policies -- and impact virtually every aspect of society.

There’s never been a more urgent time to end the power of corporations to dominate our lives, harm our communities and destroy the natural world.

• Exxon-Mobil and other fossil fuel corporations knowingly destroy our climate.
• Big agricultural corporations poison our food (i.e. glyphosate by Monsanto). 
• Insurance corporations deny our health care coverage.
• Military contractor corporations spend more of our tax dollars to build more weapons used to wage perpetual military conflicts.
• Big Tech corporations spy on us and have divided us against one another. 
• Well Fargo corporation defrauded millions of customers.
• Purdue Pharma corporation killed hundreds of thousands from pushing opioids.

The list is endless.

It’s all been and remains incredibly profitable. Virtually all of it has been or is legal.

Yet, there’s never been a more opportunistic time to end the power of corporations. 

People are fed up and angry. They’re seeing through the corporate PR. And there’s increasing awareness that corporations are too big, monopolistic, unaccountable and powerful. 

That’s why there has never been a more appropriate time for Move to Amend to expand our education, advocacy and organizing in 2024. 

Seize the Solstice: Empower Systemic Change with H.J.R. 54! 

As the Winter Solstice graces us with its presence, casting shadows that whisper tales of change and transformation, we find ourselves reflecting on the need for profound systemic shifts to usher in a brighter future. 

Hi, I'm Thom Hartmann,  author and progressive political commentator. Many of you know me from my nationally syndicated radio show, the Thom Hartmann Program.

I'm also a long time supporter of Move to Amend! Please join with me in supporting their work to pass a Constitutional amendment to end corporate personhood and get big money out of politics.

Watch and listen to Mike Ferner, Veterans for Peace Director, at the 7'30" mark speak on the need to end corporate rule (i.e. go after the arsonists, not just put our fires) as a fundamental requirement to create peace, mentioning Move to Amend in the process.

Thirty years ago today, President Bill Clinton signed legislation supporting U.S. entry into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Removing restrictions on trade between the U.S., Mexico and Canada, NAFTA was aggressively opposed by organized labor, environmental organizations, and many “good government” groups for two major reasons.

First, NAFTA’s provisions prioritized “trade” of goods and services produced by multinational corporations over protecting workers, consumers and the environment.

Second, disputes brought by corporate investors directly against foreign nations over claimed “barriers to trade” were decided by unelected and unaccountable Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) "tribunals" largely composed of corporate-friendly members -- beyond the reach of citizens or even national legislatures or courts.

Celebrating the wins, reflecting on the challenges, and how to be part of the change.

We've said many times, 'We would be nothing without our affiliates, advocates, and supporters.' They do a lot of the heavy lifting, which is why we've been recognizing all they do for the movement each month.

Each month we will use this space to spotlight different Affiliates. Read about this month's Affiliate's remarkable efforts and accomplishments.  

The “inflation” of Thanksgiving summarized below is not about the increased mass marketing hoopla that corporations create every holiday to make us think the more stuff we buy, the greater will be the enjoyment, if not “meaning,” of the day or season. Thanksgiving is actually a lousy holiday to commercialize. Afterall, there’s only so much profit to be gained from peddling Turkeys/Tofurkys, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.

Nor are we focusing on the "inflation" of the giant Thanksgiving Day Parade floats that will wind their way through the streets of New York City.

The more significant Thanksgiving “inflation” is the inflated prices of consumer products, including food, which have skyrocketed. We can thank major food corporations for this.