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William, I am really surprised at your realization of life today. Yet, in what other Country would a person be free to express these truths. My experience would tell me that only in your Beautiful Country and in mine would a person not fear retribution from somewhere. I am 72, and I still believe in my Country. Obviously you still believe and love your Country as I do { BOTH Countrys }
Ron Hynes
Alberta, Western Canada
-------Original Message-------
This message was automatically forwarded on behalf of Bill Bayne. Please address any responses to the mail list or directly to Bill at: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
From: William R. Bayne [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2006 12:33 PM To: Ed Burkhead Subject: Re: [COUPERS-FLYIN] gas rlyflyin Hi Ron, Just as you "own" land or a home only so long as one or more levels of government agree not to tax you out of it (you're a fixed, immovable target or victim if they do), the only limits on actions by de facto monopolies are those government chooses to both legislate and enforce. There are many things, both good and bad, that get legislated but are not enforced. The record of government (at all levels) is spotty, at best. As Pogo said: "We has met the enemy, and he is us". In the last "oil crunch" (back in the seventies), the federal government adopted a "windfall profits tax". Don't expect that from the present administration. Today drug companies "fix" the price charged in this country for products sold much cheaper elsewhere. A limited number of liquor wholesalers in many areas make sure there is no "real" competition. The same is true of the funeral and insurance industries, which, at least in Texas, exert effective control on the very legislatures (and assigned committees) elected by citizens to represent them ("the people"). Legally, the "public interest" is now being commonly interpreted to favor bureaucrats over individuals! If a local judge takes a dislike to you, don't expect any help from Washington to enforce those (state and federal constitutional) "rights" high school civics told you we have, such as (at least the appearance of) meaningful access to AN IMPARTIAL JUDGE or EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW. Much of what was represented to us as fact as youngsters by the educational "system" is, in fact, more an illusion (or "ideal" as yet unachieved). In the context, of "Love it or leave it", if this country was ever REALLY "ours", it's real hard to definitively say when and by whom it was hijacked. Personally, I believe it happened just before World War II while everyone's eye was on other very serious things. That's when unelected self-perpetuating bureaucracies really came into being for the first time. Sort of like mortally wounding an elephant with a spear, the ideals of freedom will take a long time to die, and the process will not be pretty. Those who understand (and care enough to "get involved") are few enough to easily discredit or otherwise get rid of. The earth the meek eventually inherit may not be worth much by then. So no, Ron, there are NO (effective) limits today on "Big Oil" (or "Big" anything); nor do any seem likely in the near future. Both major parties are covered with the blood of these dirty deeds. With neither apparently aware this is a problem, resolution is not possible. Regards, William R. Bayne -- On Feb 19, 2006, at 11:11, Ron Hynes wrote: I...was thinking back to my many years in the oil business. The profits as declared these past several years have been sickening, even surprising to those familiar with the business as well as those in the business. ...over the [RECENT ] years I feel shame deep inside. There are limits, or are there?
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