Polluted Politics

Why has the global petro corporation Chevron already spent $1.2 million to defeat a ballot measure here in Santa Barbara County? Because the ballot measure is Measure P, which would stop extreme oil extraction, the answer is obvious.

When Chevron buys election ads and slick mailings, it is not just trying to escape a law that would stop Chevron from polluting our land and water. When it dumps its millions into local elections, Chevron is polluting our politics.

Most of us who vote for Measure P will vote “yes” as a simple matter of responsibility. We owe it to ourselves and the next generations to protect the future. But many will also vote for Measure P because we resent Chevron’s interference in our local elections. In a democracy, the people decide and corporations serve.

No one should be surprised that the Chevron corporation would attempt to buy our government and laws. Chevron has done it in Nigeria where it hired soldiers to kill workers and environmentalists, and in Ecuador where it polluted the Amazon. Chevron pollutes everything.

A vote for Measure P is a vote for local democracy and responsibility. Vote yes on P, boycott Chevron, and make sure every other person you know does the same.