Should corporations be considered persons?

[Whateverist]

Came across this summary of court cases leading up to the Citizens United case which ruled corporations not only should be accorded the same protections as people, but should also be unrestrained in spending money to influence elections. Found it an eye opener.

http://youtu.be/xyncSd-UtB4

[Angrboda]

I'm too busy listening to great music to watch your video, but the short answer is, yes, corporation personhood is a useful legal fiction. Whether certain specific privileges should or should not be extended to such fictional persons, on what basis, and according to what theory, is a more substantial issue. Prior to the emancipation of the slaves, two distinct categories of person existed without the world coming to an end. Something similar needs to happen with corporate personhood, imho.

[TAW]

They're treated as people when it best serves them but they're never treated as people when they commit criminal actions. This is really the wrong question. It should be, "Should we allow corporations to be treated above people?". I shouldn't say, "never" but "rarely" do they receive the right punishments befitting of the actions they carry out.

[Lemonvariable72]

To be blunt, oh fuck hell no.

[Ryantology]

Sure, if we can extend the death penalty to them.

[Minimalist]

Beat me to it, Ryan.