Thom gives an interesting overview of the founders' principles regarding commerce and the eventual distortion of those ideals by a clerk of the SCOTUS. Hartman has done some original research that will be surprising to many. Take a break from AAR and listen to this speech instead.
PhilosopherSeed.org, a web outreach from Portland Cable Access guru Jim Lockhart, presents the talk in 3 parts, Realplayer audio format. Go to
http://www.philosopherseed.org/audio.htm for more detailed synopses.
Part 1, 27.5 min The Boston Tea Party and Jefferson's "Three Tyrannies", various founders' approaches to differentiating and distrubiting rights and priveleges.
Part 2, 32.5 min Christianity and spirituality, as expressed by the founders. The anti-monopolist rationale for the constitutional regulation of commerce. How the 1886 Santa Clara County vs. Southern Pacific Railroad SCOTUS decision was misconstrued to form the basis for corporate personhood.
Part 3, 16.5 min What can be done. How to re-apply Jeffersonian democracy and scale back corporate power.