I wish someone would stand-up to these people

[Ropey]

Reminds me of the story I read about some huge company that basically set up an entire town for its workers... probably an oil or mining company somewhere in the boonies of America back in the early part of the 20th century. I don't remember exactly where or when.

The company provided infrastructure, utilities, housing, police, firefighting, schooling, etc for its employees/citizens. But it suspended many Constitutional rights in the town. Workers sued for violation of Constitutional rights. Usually you can only sue the government for violation of Constitutional rights, which was the company's defense.

Supreme Court said that if a company or non-governmental entity provided services that were very similar to what a traditional government provided, it was considered the government. Employees won.

[UncleFesterESQ]

Reminds me of the story I read about some huge company that basically set up an entire town for its workers... probably an oil or mining company somewhere in the boonies of America back in the early part of the 20th century. I don't remember exactly where or when.

The company provided infrastructure, utilities, housing, police, firefighting, schooling, etc for its employees/citizens. But it suspended many Constitutional rights in the town. Workers sued for violation of Constitutional rights. Usually you can only sue the government for violation of Constitutional rights, which was the company's defense.

Supreme Court said that if a company or non-governmental entity provided services that were very similar to what a traditional government provided, it was considered the government. Employees won.

I believe this is Marsh v. Alabama. (2 years out of law school here)
We can thank the Jehovah's Witnesses for this. Those damned kids and their free-speech needs.