ROSEN: Free the Phillips 66!

By Mike Rosen, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 4, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Sen. John McCain was in Denver last week for a talk and fundraiser at the Petroleum Club. Predictably, this was an opportunity for local activists to engage in a little political theater.

One such group calls itself ProgressNowAction. Its members are self-proclaimed "progressives," the currently fashionable term for left-liberals who define progress as the relentless march toward socialism. Declaring that oil and gas interests have donated $548,712 to McCain's Senate and presidential campaigns over the last 20 years, PNA launched an online petition drive demanding that McCain return the money. Its press release bragged that it had secured "hundreds" (wow!) of similarly outraged signatories. Why in the world McCain would do something like that defies reason.

If you do the math, you'll find that these contributions come to little more than $25,000 a year. What pikers! I'm amazed that oil and gas interests haven't given McCain much more.

I understand that in the childishly simplistic world of radical enviros and assorted lefties, oil companies and automobiles (especially SUVs) are "bad." More rational grown-ups don't see it that way. Even Al Gore needs petroleum to fuel his airplane so he can gallivant around the world ranting hysterically about global warming.

The last time I checked, oil companies haven't been outlawed and gas stations can fill up your tank without committing a crime. Where did these progressives (there's that cloying term again) get the idea that oil and gas companies should be banned from the public debate in our constitutional republic?

Energy companies represent the interests of their shareholders, employees and, to some extent, their customers. The greater the degree of government involvement in their industry, obviously, the more important is their need and obligation to influence government policy. Given the lobbying efforts of those who seek to regulate energy companies, the companies would be insane to cede the political battlefield to their opponents.

Left-wing groups like PNA are conveniently selective about their opposition to political influence and funding. Such groups routinely take money from liberal political activists in Colorado (like the "gang of four" - Tim Gill, Jared Polis, Pat Stryker and Rutt Bridges). They issue no protests against lobbying and political contributions by left-wing interests like George Soros, trial lawyers, feminists, gays, labor unions, enviros, Naderites, government employees, MoveOn.org, etc. Compounding their hypocrisy, they blatantly take sides in energy politics, accepting money from and promoting subsidies for energy companies and industries to which they're partial, like solar, wind power and ethanol.

So how do they justify this double standard, treating oil and gas companies like second-class citizens? Easy. In the ideologically egocentric world in which these "progressives" live, the causes they oppose are "special interests" while the special interests they favor are legitimate, good and just.

More objective observers understand that in the politically divided real world in which we've always lived, unequivocal common interests are rarely found. In a free society, there's no fair or practical way for representative government and the law to pick and choose among the opinions of "good" interests and "bad" ones. That's a subjective judgment of individuals who have their own axes to grind.

This is precisely why James Madison, the principal author of the Constitution and an eloquent voice of reason, logic and good governance in The Federalist Papers, argued for a "saving multiplicity of factions." As interest groups and their PACs proliferate, they offset each other. As you incur the wrath of one, you gain the support of another. A pluralistic society with thousands of special interests poses less danger of undue influence-peddling than one where a few concentrated interests prevail.

Oil and gas companies are just as entitled to a place at the public policy table as anyone else. They have no less legitimacy or fewer rights than the interests that support Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Free the Phillips 66!

Mike Rosen's radio show airs daily from 9 a.m. to noon on 850 KOA. He can be reached by e-mail at mikerosen@850koa.com.

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Comments

April 4, 2008

6:48 a.m.

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Michael writes:

What one person calls a loyal base and group of supporters, another will label a "special interest group". That term (as used by the left) has become synonomous with some unknown, stealthy, backroom, and even maybe illegal, group of people who donate money and try to influence politics and politicians through nefarious means. Listen to candidates like Obama and Clinton deride the "special interest groups" of the conservative flavor - but never their own. I have never heard a GOP candidate do this - as most in the GOP know that any group of people that bands togather to further a cause or a candidate is perfectly legal and to be encouraged as participating in the political process. Why demagogue that which is legal and constitutional? Unless you are trying to play to peoples fears and ignorance in a blatant attempt to get their vote.
Mike Rosen again uses an accurate historical reference from the author of our constitution - Mr. James Madison - to make an excellent point about factions and how they offset in an open political system. "Special interest groups" are the progeny of our democratic republic and are to be applauded - on both sides.
April 4, 2008

7:32 a.m.

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phreynoldo writes:

Let's see Mr. Rosen is fighting the special interests. Great! But wait wasn't it the oil execs who gained special access to the VP to make the nation’s energy policy and the public was not allowed to find out what was discussed or who was even at the meeting. Gee, I wonder who Jimmy Madison would have seen as a greater threat to our democratic institutions, a handful of activists protesting or powerful business leaders getting special access to the man who was running the White House. After all we can see this enlightened approach to open government forwarded by Mr. Cheney and Bush has led us to moribund economy and lined the pockets of an oligarchy that seems to care little about what happens to this nation. I am just happy Mr. Rosen is columnist and not a civics teacher.
April 4, 2008

8:20 a.m.

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Cwillyrun1 writes:

Funny that the oil and gas industry is ripped by left wing idiots, some of them being the same left wing idiots that think ethanol is the answer. Ethanol uses more energy to produce, puts more greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere (taking everything into consideration), causes the prices of foods to go up, and since corn is a thirsty plant and there's already a high demand on water availability, actually harms the environment more than fuel itself. Ethanol also harms vehicle's engines and gets less miles per gallon than fuel.

phreynoldo, how do you feel about unions having special access...... backroom access out of the public eye (despite Colorado's laws to the contrary), to the Denver City Council, Mayor Hickenlooper and Governor Ritter? Unions and Democrats are tied together at the hip, moreso than oil and gas is to Republicans.
April 4, 2008

8:37 a.m.

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Romulus writes:

Al Gore "ranting hysterically"? Come on, the man is so low-key he's almost comatose. That's what cost him the presidency in 2000. Even if you disagree with what he says he can hardly be accused of ranting hysterically. This only highlights Rosen's bias.
April 4, 2008

8:47 a.m.

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Mike_In_Hartsel writes:

lcdrjjxant, have you checked your lithium levels lately? Those meds were prescribed for a reason and you really need to take regularly. When you don't, you live in your little fantasy world where only you knows what happens. Your rants are predictable, boring, and as phony as you are.
April 4, 2008

9:29 a.m.

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JYP3500 writes:

Just how dumb are the members of ProgressNowAction? They boldly declare that “oil and gas interests have donated $548,712 to McCain's Senate and they want him to return the money”. And I wonder what their position is on the recent report that Obama has accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from oil executives and their employees? Guess that’s different, huh?
April 4, 2008

10:12 a.m.

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Lwayfan writes:

Froward69: will you please define fascist for everyone??
April 4, 2008

10:30 a.m.

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GetReal writes:

Romulas 8:37-

Gore doesn't rant?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UKWH6W_sMng

And for some perspective, here is a calmer Gore in '92 blasting Bush 1 for ignoring Iraqi terror ties.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9JE48XHKG64

How convenient.
April 4, 2008

10:32 a.m.

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irisman writes:

Mike is correct when he says that the oil companies have a right to lobby,as guaranteed by the Constitution, and with $123 billion in their pockets,I suppose they can afford to do quite a bit of lobbying. On the other hand the so-called Leftists are free to condemn them, even if some their accusations are exaggerated. Meanwhile I'm going to try to make a list of the addresses of all the oil companies, so I can send them sympathy cards in case the Leftists say too many things that would hurt their feelings.
April 4, 2008

10:55 a.m.

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Cwillyrun1 writes:

A Libertarian believes in the Constitution as written. A Libertarian and a Progressive are different.

Holding politicians up to the military standard? I'd guess if that's your biggest concern lcd, you'll end up voting for John McCain since not only did he serve, but he's a former prisoner of war from Vietnam.
April 4, 2008

11:36 a.m.

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GK writes:

"regressives," the currently fashionable term for right-wingnuts who define republicanism as the relentless march toward regression.
April 4, 2008

1:26 p.m.

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peterpi writes:

irisman, you're being logical. That's a no-no in Mike Rosen's world.
It's OK for public-minded citizens to swiftboat, demonstrate against, attack, and malign liberals. That's James Madison at work.
But it's not OK for vile commies to demonstrate, attack, and malign corporations or conservative politicians. That's treason and hatred of America.
April 4, 2008

3:23 p.m.

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fairness writes:

Michael (@6:48):

"Listen to candidates like Obama and Clinton deride the "special interest groups" of the conservative flavor - but never their own. I have never heard a GOP candidate do this..."

Really? You have NEVER heard a GOP candidate rail against unions, especially teachers' unions, or trial lawyers?

And, by the way, I actually agree with Rosen on this. I am not happy with the fact that large corporations and wealthy individuals can contribute so much money to politicians on EITHER side. However, that is the system that we have, and we all have to live with it, like it or not.
April 4, 2008

3:37 p.m.

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gkb2008 writes:

Another Friday, another useless verbose rant by the tertiary master voice of evil. (behind Limbaugh and Hannity)
Rosen cannot bite the dust and hit the trail soon enough. His mindless blather is utterly boring. Look around you, Rosen, and see what 28 years of GOP directed Free Market Absolutism has done to America. It ain't pretty, pretty boy, and the best thing you can do is put yourself on permanent mute, gather the golf clubs, and head off into the sunset and Costa Rica for the remainder of your life for daily forays onto the many golf courses and 19th hole bars and restaurants eager for your daily presence.
April 4, 2008

5:08 p.m.

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mark79trans writes:

Rosen is actually saying something here. It is soooooo incredibly unfortunate that we are not all students of the Federalist Papers.

"A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine."
Thomas Jefferson

"Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road it will pass to destruction, to wit: by consolidation of power first, and then corruption, its necessary consequence."
Thomas Jefferson

To rant on GWB is ignorant to say the least. We created this monster (the federal government); now we are going to pay the piper for it. We are lined up to see who is going to trample on who...this election is a war not a free exchange of ideas. To silence a group from participating is nothing short of tyranny...
April 4, 2008

6:20 p.m.

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bassman writes:

Greeeat comeback GKB. No attempt to refute Rosen's position. Just vitriol. Typical white person... oops progressive. So, what is the progressive energy policy? 1.Wind farms: great unless they block the view of the Kennedys' vacation home on Martha's Vineyard or interfere with bird migration routes. 2.Ethanol: a truly brilliant idea. Unintended consequences running amok like bulls in Barcelona. Using a protein food staple to fuel vehicles. Corn prices, and ,consequently, most other food prices, going through the roof. Huge increase in fertilizer runoff into the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, many Reps are behind it too. This is just the tip of the global warming/unintended consequences iceberg. 3.Hydrogen fuels: won't an incredibly huge increase in water vapor in the atmosphere alter climate. Sounds like Noah better start building an Ark cause it's gonna be a heckuva flood. Solar: great if we can solve the storage problem. Nuclear: not progressive, unless you live in the progressive paradise of France. Storage problem again but, certainly better than fossil fuels. Static electricity generator: John Galt where are you?
April 4, 2008

11:03 p.m.

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carryBIGstick writes:

Look folks, I've got NO Problem with anybody contributing money or time to any canidate they choose. It's their time and thier money. So if oil companies, law enforcement organizations, pro-gun types, and other contribute to the republicans and teachers-unions, enviro-groups, and hollywood liberals contribute to the Democrats let them, its there money and time. I could not care less because those groups and organizations don't influence my vote. If any of you who have posted an opinion who are afraid that these people will influence your vote then perhaps you show not be allowed to vote anyway since someone else can so easily sway your opinion.
Also, to the people who seem to like clockwork have silly comments to make against Rosen, grow up or return back to the 3rd grade.
April 5, 2008

8:16 a.m.

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Michael writes:

"Really? You have NEVER heard a GOP candidate rail against unions, especially teachers' unions, or trial lawyers?" - fairness
Good point and fair question. Yes, I have heard GOP candidates rail against these groups - for a variety of reasons. Failing schools and ill-prepared students for the teacers unions and resistance to tort reform and ridiculous lawsuits for the trial lawyers. BUT....the really BIG BUT - I do not recall..EVER...a GOP candidate railing about mostly liberal Dems acceppting contributions from them. That is 2 different types of "railing". I am not a fan of either of these groups, but they can support who they wish, however they wish.
April 5, 2008

5:48 p.m.

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jay writes:

lol...rosen...the constant whiner about wasteful welfare spending...actually rallying around big oil and trying to preserve the corporate welfare that has padded their pockets for too long

hypocrisy at its finest
April 9, 2008

8:55 a.m.

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jay writes:

I wonder if rosen actually reads these posts....watching his arguments get cut apart like a frog in science class

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ROSEN: Free the Phillips 66!

By Mike Rosen, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 4, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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