Sporadic Sermons

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What was 'Nam about? Iraq? Afghanistan? Columbia? Venezuela? Or, bringing it all back home, ANWR, Global warming, SUV's, The Clean Air Act? The Clean Water Act? It is about oil, and has been for the last three quarters of a century. Who rules America? Who rules the world? Those with power. Power comes from oil. Oil powers your car, powers the electric plants that run your television, light and computer, the military planes, ships and tanks. Thus it is no surprise that the new president of Afghanistan is a former AMACO employee, one of the oil companies bidding to build a pipeline from the Caspian Sea to the Gulf. Or that the recent coup attempt against the democratically elected President of Venezuela was partially caused by his refusal to stop selling oil to Cuba. It is also, tragically, no surprise that the current residents of the White House are both 'oil men' who, though they lost the popular vote, were placed in office by their exercise of raw power. Okay, children, raise your hand if you were ever taught about the oil depletion allowance. What? No one? Okay, let's make it a little easier... How about the Teapot Dome? That was taught in your US History class, wasn't it? No? How about the Osage Indians' land and how they lost it? Didn't they show you the map of the oil leases off the coast of Viet Nam? How about Indonesia? Huh? Does anyone know what percentage of the oil revenues Exxon and the other multi-national oil companies in Venezuela produce, goes to the people of that country? Half? Ten percent? Try one percent. And getting back to that mysterious oil depletion allowance, guess what percentage of oil company profits are exempted from taxation under that 1927 law? One percent? Ten percent? Try twenty five percent. During Clinton's campaign for president there was a famous sign that hung in the 'war room' that said, "It's the economy, stupid." Well, our economy is based on oil, and so is our foreign policy and our environmental policy. So in fact: It's the oil, stupid. I blame the media and the educational system, but it is really our apathy and ignorance as human beings. I've met people that had no idea that plastic was made from oil. People don't even question the fact that our roads are, for the most part, made of oil. Did you know they have made very durable and strong roads out of molasses? Yes, it smells funny and gets sticky in the summer, but so does blacktop. You can grow sugar to make molasses, you usually have to kill something or someone to get oil. Until the world realizes the effects of oil and those who control it on the economy, environment, and politics of each and every one of us, we are doomed to continuous war and environmental disaster. And that's the good news. With the current administration in the only remaining super power controlled by oil men we have reached the tipping point. Our choices are limited in any search for a solution short of armed revolution, which is hardly ever as much fun as it sounds. The one glimmer of hope I can see is for democratic control of corporate behavior globally, and as with all things globally we would have to begin locally. Thus once again I humbly raise the question: Why don't we write a ballot measure that states: "Whereas corporations in the State of Oregon are chartered to conduct their business at the mercy of the sovereign people of the State of Oregon. And, whereas corporations enjoy the rights of citizens in the United States of America, Therefore any corporation chartered in the State of Oregon shall responsibly obey the laws of this state and if convicted of violating any state laws shall, after three convictions have its charter revoked by the State of Oregon and prohibited from doing business in the State of Oregon for no less than five years." We could call it the "Responsible Corporate Citizens Act." If this were to become a ballot measure and passed in Oregon it would send a shot heard round the world across the bow of the multi-national corporations and we would gain the power to democratically control the behavior of these modern day pirates. Yes, it would be dangerous. People get killed fighting corporations. But wouldn't it feel good to think of yourself as a citizen rather than a consumer? This topic is all about freelance writers. In this topic you can see some of tips and guidelines on how to be an effective writer in research paper. If you are interested in this topic just click the link for more details and information or reply to this message.

Copyright 2002, Billy Hults