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As the tactics of health care reform protesters become increasingly absurd and questionably orchestrated,  it seems that major oil companies are now backing public protests of the pending climate bill.  I’m all in favor of grassroots movements and healthy public debate, but when corporate interests fund and organize demonstrations, these “citizen movements”  become little more than lobbying schemes designed to manipulate public opinion. According to the New York Times:

the oil industry plans to raise the pressure in coming weeks through its public rallies so that it can negotiate more favorable terms in the Senate than it got in the House. The strategy was outlined by the American Petroleum Institute in a memorandum sent to its members, which include Exxon Mobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips.

I understand employees that work in the industry are concerned about their jobs, but I doubt that industry leaders that resort to forgery are actually looking out for the public’s best interests.  Reducing emissions and shifting to a clean energy future will help  strengthen the economy, create more jobs, and lower energy costs in the long run.

Framing the debate using overly simplistic and inflammatory rhetoric will only serve to create divisions and stall progress, keeping those at the top of the oil industry in business, while the rest of the country and planet suffer from unsustainable energy choices. Passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act may not be in the oil industry’s best interest, but we can no longer afford to let them run the show.