What Are Corporations?

Talking Points Memo publishes this:

 Massachusetts Senate hopeful Elizabeth Warren took aim at Mitt Romney’s infamous “corporations are people” remark when she introduced President Obama at a fundraiser in Boston on Monday. “Mitt Romney tells us, in his own words, he believes corporations are people,” Warren said. “No, Mitt, corporations are not people. People have hearts. They have kids. They get jobs. They get sick. They love and they cry and they dance. They live and they die. Learn the difference.” Warren’s introduction at Symphony Hall landed her in front of a large crowd filled with party activists and donors who are important to her campaign as well. Warren praised the president, saying “He fought for you, students and seniors, homeowners and veterans, community banks and credit unions, and for everyone who plays by the rules,” she said. Obama returned the favor, thanking Warren for her remarks: “I just want to thank Elizabeth for that introduction, and let you know how lucky all of you are to have a chance to vote for her in the next election,” Obama said. ”Nobody fought harder for Wall Street reform – the reform that is now law and protecting consumers all across the country – than Elizabeth, reform that will end taxpayer bailouts, make sure folks aren’t being taken advantage of by mortgage lenders and credit card companies. She has been a fierce advocate since before I knew her for the middle class. She has been advocating on core issues that matter to families her entire career. She is going to be an outstanding senator from Massachusetts, and everybody here has got to turn out for her.”
 ________________________________

 Harvard-educated Cherokee Liz had her dunce head-dress on with this little soliloquy. Corporations are voluntary associations of people, stockholders, management and employees, formed under government auspices to limit liability. There ain't no corporations without government authorization. The state sets the conditions for corporate operations, as it always has. And if, in her view, corporations are not people, well, neither is the US or South Dakota, or the Salvation Army or the Boston Red Sox or even Harvard University. If you or she enters the headquarters of a corporation like General Electric, there won't be a meeting with a gigantic, puffing machine that spits out ideas, products and money. There will rather be people there, people that "cry and dance". People that get paid for being part of the process of satisfying the wants of others. All voluntary.