Jul 9, 2019

American government works for energy companies, not the People

Many of our elected politicians get their campaigns financed by energy companies, such as oil and gas, coal, fracking, and uranium corporations. When these politicians get elected, they don't represent the People. Instead they advocate for the interests of the energy companies. The energy companies go further and lobby the politicians to pass pro-energy legislation, legislation that favors the energy companies and not the people. 

A good example is the proposed legislation to end Chaco Canyon drilling. I bet the energy company in the area is already lobbying the New Mexico politician who represents the San Juan Basin. 

It is also the reason why the oil companies got their way with the DAPL. Obama could do nothing. 

Trump is on his spree to ravage everything. 

This system of campaign financing is one reason the American government does not work for the People. There is no democracy. 

This is also the reason our Navajo council delegates are targeted by the energy companies to favor the pro-energy legislation. I wonder how many of our council delegates got money from the energy companies for the recent decision on Navajo Generating Station?  From the Navajo Times, here was how the council delegates voted:
"Delegates who voted against the bill were: Elmer Begay, Kee Allen Begay Jr., Nelson BeGaye, Eugenia Charles-Newton, Mark Freeland, Vince James, Raymond Smith Jr., Wilson Stewart Jr., Charlaine Tso, Daniel Tso and Jimmy Yellowhair.

Delegates voting for the bill were: Paul Begay, Nathaniel Brown, Herman Daniels, Pernell Halona, Rickie Nez, Eugene Tso, Otto Tso, Thomas Walker Jr. and Edison Wauneka.

Not voting were Amber Kanazbah Crotty, Jamie Henio and Edmund Yazzie."
I would be worried if your council delegated voted to keep NGS open.

Here is a list of the top contributing energy companies. Some of these companies operate on or near the Navajo reservation. The Republican party is getting most of these contributions with more than 3/4 of the $84 million going to the Republicans. Source: opensecrets.org.

Total to Candidates and Parties Indivs PACs
1Koch Industries$10,568,089$2,908,064$1,203,589$1,704,500
2Marathon Petroleum$6,241,278$2,090,613$423,778$1,667,000
3Chevron Corp$5,112,100$1,445,205$558,405$887,000
4Stewart & Stevenson$3,475,609$1,725,609$1,725,609$0
5Crownquest Operating$2,536,000$205,000$205,000$0
6Exxon Mobil$2,272,336$2,257,703$903,631$1,364,950
7Magnolia Oil & Gas$2,179,878$889,878$889,878$0
8Energy Transfer Equity$2,112,624$2,012,624$1,837,974$174,650
9Pilot Corp$2,041,080$691,080$691,080$0
10Berexco Inc$1,860,305$1,790,305$1,790,305$0
11UOP Russell$1,720,570$970,570$970,570$0
12ConocoPhillips$1,673,555$421,665$239,255$182,500
13Occidental Petroleum$1,520,336$370,336$107,086$263,250
14Valero Energy$1,506,195$881,195$183,695$697,500
15Valero Services$1,504,514$4,264$4,264$0
16Continental Resources$1,442,060$364,400$201,650$162,750
17Otis Eastern$1,099,729$964,729$964,729$0
18Red Apple Group$1,047,354$942,354$942,354$0
19Geosouthern Energy$1,032,743$32,743$32,743$0
20Parman Capital Group$968,118$718,118$718,118$0
Here is the list for the top recipients of energy money.  In Arizona, Representative Martha McSally received more than half a million from energy companies.  Donald Trump was close to making the top 20 with $352 thousand received from energy.  

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