ROBERT A.G. MONKS: SHAREHOLDER ACTIVIST AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ADVISOR

Business for Democracy and ASBC Lead Effort to Overturn Citizens United v. FEC

The Business for Democracy Campaign, which the American Sustainable Business Council is spearheading in partnership with Free Speech for People is tackling the compelling issue of corporate contributions to political campaigns.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision on January 21, 2010 allows corporations to spend unlimited funds to support or oppose candidates for political office, overturning campaign finance laws in place for decades. The Business for Democracy campaign is an initiative of business leaders and their companies who believe this ruling is in direct conflict with American democratic principles and a serious threat to good government. The campaign supports the four members of the Supreme Court and the 80 percent of Americans who disagree with the decision (Washington Post poll, Feb. 17, 2010).

If you'd like your business to join this effort, you can sign the statement of support here or here.

ROBERT A.G. MONKS: SHAREHOLDER ACTIVIST AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ADVISOR

More Important Insights from our Advisory Board “guru” on Corporate Governance, Robert A.G.Monks “ – Hazel Henderson, Ed.

Citizen United — Question #2
Blog series about the impact of Citizens United
Over the next few weeks we’ll be posting Bob’s comments and questions about the Citizens United ruling. He invites you to respond to these post or write us with your thoughts on the issue.

The perplexing case of Citizens United
Bob has been closely following the Citizens United case since last spring and has recently begun to write on the issue. He said recently, “The Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United has raised many perplexing questions. I am anxious to better understand what has happened, what is likely to happen and what action can be usefully taken.”

Bob Monks: Keynote at RiskMetrics 25th Anniversary Event Today
Bob is keynote at the RiskMetrics 25th Anniversary Conference today in NYC. Hopefully attendees can brave the storm for the 11:30 start time. Bob is speaking at 1:15. If you can’t make it check out Bob’s speaking schedule because he’ll be in NYC in March and April.

End of Week Round-Up
Several items to share from the last few days: two speeches that Bob gave at the end of last year are now available and we present a short list of articles that Bob is reading now.