A Washington-based PR firm is running for Congress. Not supporting a candidate, but running as a candidate, to demonstrate the outrageous nature of last week's Supreme Court decision that treats political campaign spending by corporations as free speech.

In a satirical move by polished pros, PR firm Murray Hill has launched its election campaign with all the tools of a "regular' campaign, including a website and an "inspiring" election ad:

The campaign is tongue in cheek, but the fake fervor and polished statements are gems: “The strength of America,” Murray Hill Inc. says, “is in the boardrooms, country clubs and Lear jets of America’s great corporations. We’re saying to Wal-Mart, AIG and Pfizer, if not you, who? If not now, when?” The "candidate" confirms that "Murray Hill Inc. plans on filing to run in the Republican primary in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District. Campaign Manager William Klein "plans to use automated robo-calls, “Astroturf” lobbying and computer-generated avatars to get out the vote."

In deciding Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the justices ruled 5-4 that corporations cannot be be prevented from funding political campaigns and specific candidates. Defended on the grounds of free speech, the decision gives carte blanche (as if it were needed), to corporations to buy and sell candidates and influence the outcome of elections. The ruling overruled two precedents that had placed restrictions on corporate spending to support or oppose candidates. Commentators have noted that the ruling reaffirms the concept of corporate personhood, whereby a corporation is accorded the same rights as an individual.

If we didn't laugh along with Murray Hill, Inc's candidacy, we'd cry. One of the problems with treating corporations as individuals is that, freed from the individual's innate sense of right and wrong, a corporation, by dint of being conscience-free, can behave without ethical grounding. For a more serious expose of this tragedy, read Joel Bakan's The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power. The trailer for the 2003 documentary made from the book can be seen below. How stunning and depressing, that it is even more timely today.