While the 4th does say that the people have a right to be secure in their possessions (effects
) from unreasonable search, the 5th clearly says nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation
— so the question in that case becomes is the corporation's property private property? (If it is, then it must be covered by the 5th.)
As for the 7th, the only condition is that the suit at common law
be greater than $20; therefore, as the litigants are of no consequence, if a corporation can have a suit under common law then the 7th must protect them.
As for the 14th, that amendment is a terrible and awful source of trouble: for it is by that amendment that the judiciary declares itself superior to the Constitution. (Look at how they say that the First applies to the states, ven though Congress is specifically and explicitly named.)
in addition to the free speech provisions in the 1st.
I suggest you look at the 1st amendment again:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.That amendment is all about limiting what Congress can do — it matters not if it is a single person printing and distributing literature, or a whole corporation doing so, Congress is prohibited from abridging that.
I would like to see a system in which the employees and directors of a corporation retain their rights as individual persons, but that corporations are viewed as and treated much differently.
That way is very dangerous — think of how that could be used against churches.
You and I may have to agree to disagree on this one. If I could wave my magic wand, the religious freedom clause in the 1st amendment would read “Neither Congress, a state, or any subdivision thereof shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of any religion.” Period. There would also be language specifically identifying which rights are inalienable to natural persons and which are not.
Simply put, I do not believe that the system was designed for our representatives to be selected by a few thousand CEO’s and the Uber wealthy of this nation. Which is what the primary system, the two parties, and the unlimited cash from PAC’s accomplishes for the ruling class now.