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"has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution. (This right) is independent of the obligation on natural and juridical persons or the State to indemnify the people that depend on the natural systems."
This redefinition affirms that nature must receive equal parity by law and not just be a resource for exploitation. Yet these Rights of Nature contain flaws because President Rafael Correa refused to let communities protect their own ecosystems. As a result, corporate predators can exploit the loophole and are expert at taking advantage. The new Mining Law already permits large-scale, open pit metal mining in the Andean highlands and Amazon rainforest.
Nonetheless, Ecuador's Rights of Nature hold hope that other nations may adopt them and start a process to more fully protect the environment.
(19) Bank Bailout Recipients Spent to Defeat Labor
After receiving $25 billion in federal bailout funds, Bank of America organized opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) - legislation to guarantee workers the right to bargain more fairly and collectively with management than since passage of the landmark 1935 National Labor Relations (Wagner) Act.
Business is firmly opposed. On March 10, S. 560: Employee Free Choice Act of 2009 was introduced in the Senate. It was referred to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee where it's pending. Given the Obama administration's opposition, its passage looks doubtful.
(20) Secret Control of the Presidential Debates
Since 1987, the Republican and Democrat-controlled Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has run the process, dictates terms, and excludes unwanted participants. During the 2008 presidential cycle, the Obama and McCain teams secretly cut a deal on who could participate, permissible topics, and the debate format structure.
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