He's
got a nifty plan to alleviate Native American poverty by opening up their
tribal lands to oil drilling.
By
Let’s take a cruise down the narrow byways and twisting turns
that form Senator Ted Cruz’s mind.
The first right turn on our road trip brings us to a sweeping
view of the Texas Republican’s Energy Renaissance Act, a proposal so studded
with fossil fuel favors that it ought be called the “Exxon Mobil Relief Act.”
His bill would prevent the federal government from ever imposing
regulations on fracking. It also includes an edict to approve the Keystone XL
pipeline, a requirement that any new EPA regulations get a congressional vote
of approval, and a nifty plan to alleviate Native American poverty by opening
up their tribal lands to oil drilling.
You see, this bill would “allow unlimited direct contributions
by citizens…to candidates in federal elections.”
Good grief. This would legalize quid pro quo corruption and
constitute a dream come true for the Koch Brothers. Nothing would stop the
richest Americans from openly writing huge checks to politicians in exchange
for those politicians promising to do political favors.
Favors like what, you ask?
Just take a hard right turn from Ted’s bribe-a-lawmaker scheme,
and you’ll come upon a bright flashing light representing an idea for a huge
corporate favor that popped out of his head in July. He wants to force the
government to begin selling off our national parks, forests,
wildlife areas, and other treasured natural resources, turning over these
prized public lands to Koch Industries and other mining, drilling, and logging
conglomerates.
And that would truly be a bridge to nowhere.
OtherWords columnist Jim Hightower is a radio commentator,
writer, and public speaker. He’s also editor of the populist newsletter, The
Hightower Lowdown. OtherWords.org