BP and the wages of selfishness

The chickens (or oil-soaked herons) are certainly coming home to roost for us after a generation of greed, corruption and selfishness in American life. Even the "Drill Baby Drill" and "Attack Iraq" crowd are beginning to realize that in their rush to selfish profitization they may end up destroying their own land, livelihood and families.

The ecocide and fratricide that occurs in front of our very eyes almost beggars incredulity. To our children it must seem something new and novel, but as parents we know it is an ongoing self-destructive pattern of irresponsible behavior that we have been engaged in for too long. We have only ourselves to blame.

The BP oil disaster, like mining collapses and the deaths of thousands of young Americans in overseas wars, is emblematic of payments due coming for the wages of selfishness.

For too long, disciples of Reaganomics and Ayn Rand have preached a gospel of "free-market rational selfishness" which eschewed social cooperation and interdependency in favor of unbridled individual capitalism. In this world view, mountains are to be mined, oceans to be harvested, nations to be abused and intellectual thoughts and creations to be privately owned. We forget that John Galt was a fictional character.

Even experts among us now admit the error of fundamental assumptions about our economic system (the glimmer of wealth apparently blinded even rigorous examiners). Bankers, policymakers and federal reserve chiefs acknowledge that the strategies that have previously been employed created much of our current disaster.

Yet, so ingrained is the paradigm of private ownership in today's world that there is little serious discuss of alternatives. We have become so accustomed to the concept of private property "rights" and exploitation of one another that we scarcely notice that this artificial economy we have created is collapsing all around us. We pray to the golden bull of Wall Street for answers and elevate Global 500 corporations as our gods....... MORE Page 2>

Greening Amarillo, Dallas & Houston

Texans of all persuasions, from liberals to conservative, are doing more to help steward a green and sustainable environment than ever before. One Amarillo housing project plans to build 310 homes completely off of the electrical grid - powered entirely by solar. The new community will also let residents grow their own food.

Dallas City Council members are considering a three-year "electricity" purchase that includes $750,00 s for green energy. Dallas is the second highest renewable energy user in the nation at 40%, next to Houston, but knows it needs to do more.

Houston will be the location of the new Toshiba electric car factory. The Houston plant is expected to produce Toshiba's first overseas automotive propulsion motors in 2012 and is an example of green jobs for the future of the Texas economy.

Poster boys for polluters

Congressman Joe Barton became the poster boy for Texas oil polluters when, instead of recognizing the threat to Texas of BP's oil disaster, he choose to focus on their setting aside of $20 billion to compensate victims. Calling it a presidential "shakedown" of an oil company, Barton and other neocons continue to top the pinnacle of selfishness.

And, showing the same level of ignorance (or support of their business friends), Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot and the Texas Commission on Evironmental Quality [sic] (TECQ) has decided to fight stronger federal rules and controls on air pollution.

The AG is asking courts to rule against the EPA when it comes to permitting pollution from oil refineries. The EPA says the state's permitting process allows industry to emit too many pollutants.

Saving the golden goose

The current high school drop out rate threatens Texas' economic future unless it receives more attention and better funding, according to demographers and economists. Unless the dropout issue is successfully confronted, the potential asset of a burgeoning young population could become a lead weight dragging down median incomes and the ability to attract new business enterprises.

Instead of threatening to cut education funding, the Texas Legislature needs to change the law allowing 16-year-olds to drop out of school. Texan's need to invest in and encourage EVERY student to obtain and high school degree and go on to college if possible. If not, Texans can expect a slow decline in household incomes and greater social inequality. Texas also needs to invest more in pre-K to set the stage for success in students' later years. "Every kid deserves to be educated, and we're going to figure out what it takes and do it," says Bill Hammond, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business.

No haters for Texas

Arizona's recent law targeting undocumented residents - SB1070 - could become law in Texas if a few legislators get their way. There are move afoot to use legislation to divide Texas and support the racist actions that promoted the problems in Arizona.

However, real Texans are coming forward and saying "not here". The cities of Austin and San Antonio have already taken up the call to rebuke Arizona. Texans for Peace is planning a legislative "education" campaign for the coming year on this issue. Together, we can stop the tide of hate and keep Texas "friendly". Todos somos Texans.

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