When the Constitution of the United States was debated and adopted in Congress in Philadelphia in 1787, the participants were influenced by, among other issues, the interests of commerce. The spirit of compromise prevailed. The nation could not have survived without the protection of commercial interests and satisfying the economic interests of the participating states. Laudatory philosophical, political and practical humane interests were recognized and protected. While some despicable practices were tolerated under the Constitution as ultimately adopted, time has tended to deal with many of those issues.

However, last week's Supreme Court decision in CItizens United vs. FEC shows we have developed to a point where commercial interests are sacred and individual interests are subservient to the corporation interests. The "We the People" phrase has become quaint. Therefore, it is proposed that the "Truth in National Identification Amendment" to the Constitution be adopted:

Under this amendment the country will be known as: The Corporate States of America,

I. And the first paragraph of the Constitution shall read "We the Corporations of the United States, in order to form a more perfect business atmosphere, secure greater profits, promote the corporate welfare, and secure the advantages wrought by great wealth, do ordain and establish...."

II. The flag, while retaining the stars on a blue field and the thirteen red and white stripes, will be embossed with the names or logos of those corporations that win, by competitive bidding, the right to:

A) have their logo within a star, or

B) have their corporate name on one of the stripes, and

C) have priority access to all members of Congress.

III. Versions of flags displayed on, or as clothing, as banners, stickers, pennants, lapel pins and other similar formats will be permitted for the subliminal value of associating the company logo with Patriotism.

IV. American flags used in burial ceremonies are to be traditional flags, except that a corporate executive, their lobbyists, retired Members of Congress and former Congressional staffers on the corporate payroll will have the option of selecting either version.

V. Anti-desecration: Whereas the corporate version of the flag will be more sacred than the standard flag, an anti-desecration feature must be incorporated into the Constitution. To Wit: If a human desecrates the Corporate States of America flag, the corporate interest, exercising its personhood, will promptly prosecute the offender for trespassing and vandalism, and the military/industrial victim will have the right to shock and awe the offender into oblivion.

John Kelly, Towson

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