Do we really want the fox to guard the chicken coop?

To the editor:

Vic Fischer, a delegate to the Alaska Constitutional Convention, recently quoted Bob Bartlett, the longtime Alaska representative to the U.S. Congress and first senator from our state, cautioning that we not allow ourselves to become captive to out-of-state companies. We need to heed that caution today.

Consider the facts.

The McDowell Group in January 2012 reported that the North Slope oil and gas industry added more than 5,000 new jobs between 2000 and 2010, doubling employment. From 2007-2011, North Slope oil spending increased about $1.3 billion annually.

Consider the record. The court-mandated fine for the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster was $5 billion. Exxon repeatedly litigated, reducing it to $507.5 million, about 1/10th, and was reluctant even to pay the interest. By then, many of the people affected had died.

In 2007 when Alaska’s Clear and Equitqble Share (ACES) was enacted, the oil industry voiced its strong desire for an unchanging consistent and stable Alaska tax structure. Now that same voice is silent as oil companies push for lower tax. Today, ConocoPhilips advertises itself as “Alaska’s oil company.”

Alaska has no oil company! A $1 billion to $2 billon annual giveaway without guarantees means taking from the people of Alaska and giving it to the oil companies. Is this what we elected our legislators to do? On the basis of the record, can we trust big oil in Alaska?

For the past five years, the U.S. and world economies have been struggling with deep recession, yet crude oil prices continue to run high. Think how those prices will soar as economies continue to rebound. Why remove our progressive oil tax and replace it with a flat one? If necessary, adjust the percentage in the progressive tax, but leave it progressive.

The oil belongs to the state and its people. Now is the time to make your voice heard to our governor and legislators. This is a call for action.

Do we really trust the fox to guard the chicken-coop?

Paul D. Beran

Juneau