In a face-off between billions in corporate profits and the rights of citizens in a community, big money tends to bet on the corporation.
But corporations can’t control our destiny unless we let them. If we obtain 100,000 signatures demanding that South Carolina’s coastal areas remain free of the danger of pointless drilling, even politicians coveting contributions from oil company lobbyists will be forced to listen to the voice of the people.
We are the only constituents they’ve got, and we have a powerful weapon to work with – our vote. This is not a conservative or liberal issue. It concerns the lifestyle that is a birthright of native South Carolinians and a magnet to newer residents.
Remember this: A lie is still a lie no matter how often it is repeated and how many people choose to believe it. Despite fictitious numbers you will hear rehashed incessantly, the following are the facts with which we must confront drill-baby-drill politicians and big oil:
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• In the event of a moderate or large oil spill that washes onto South Carolina beaches, your home’s value will instantly plummet and it may become unmarketable (please read that again);
The secret to citizen success on this issue is to write, call and pledge to politicians that you will vote against them if they support drilling. Industry strategy will be to dangle economic carrots, donate impressive sums of money to political campaigns, lie about the dangers, and wear us down. Our zeal is important. Our perseverance more so. Since lobbyists are handsomely paid and indefatigable, this struggle will require years of focus to achieve something resembling victory.
Beyond your letters and phone calls and votes, it is important that you – all of you – contact at least two other families and persuade them of the urgency of opposing this initiative that is so wrong for all of South Carolina. Sign the petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-the-maddness-no-driling-no-spilling.
The writer lives in Pawleys Island.
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