The Declaration of Independence from Oil by Citizens of Seattle in the State of Washington, In common frustration, July 3, 2005

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for people to reject the values and practices of a government, a decent respect to the opinions of humankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all humans are created equal but elect differing modes of transportation, that humans are endowed with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. – That whenever any Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right and Responsibility of the People to establish a new order and lay the foundation for new policies, adopting principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same environmental and economic Abuses, persists, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government policies, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Citizens of Seattle; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former dependence on dangerous and short-sighted energy policies.

The history of the present King, George II, is a history of repeated failure to address the needs of his client States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world –

He and his Administration, being bedmates with the Industries of Energy, mock our difficulties as the price of Oil climbs to over $60 to the barrel and prices of gasoline rise.

Benefiting personally and privately as the price of Oil has risen, they pretend concern for the Threat to our economic and national Security caused by our dependence on imported Oil from foreign territories hostile and despotic.

He and his Ministers refuse logic and insult us, pressing an agenda to drill in reserved and precious lands, when no drilling can lead to our Independence from imported Oil–– these United States holding only 2.9% of the world’s oil reserves, whereas our vast Consumption accounts for more than 25% of the world’s demand.

They refuse to seriously acknowledge or promote the possibilities of Innovation and Efficiency, reducing wasteful practices and thereby increasing the wealth of all Americans.

George has refused his Assent to Laws of Science, most wholesome and necessary for the public good, denying the reality of climate change and the dangers thereof.

He has neglected to sign Treaties in Kyoto and to promote Laws of immediate and pressing importance to Ourselves and to friendly and civilized People everywhere, Laws that would reduce gas emissions rich in carbon and thereby benefit our health and economic security.

His Regent, Dick of Halliburton, has repeatedly met in secret with agents of Enron to plot Energy strategies and policies that benefit Corporations and diminish the economic wellbeing of Citizens.

 He allows over 100 billion of our dollars to be sent overseas every year for imported Oil, while reducing true and meaningful tax incentives for renewable energies and fuels, which energies and fuels would allow our billions to stay home to the great and good benefit of our economy.

He is at this time engaging large Armies, with the rumored intent of securing imported Oil in a regions of hostile territory lacking all stability, risking the lives of brothers and sisters, sons and daughters for reasons totally unworthy of the Head of a civilized nation – our continued dependence on imported Oil.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury – oil and gas prices rise, jobs are lost, our economy falters, tax credits awarded for Hummers, An administration whose character is thus marked by every act and policy which may define a dangerous Idiot, is unfit to be the ruler of a people free from dependence on Oil.

We, therefore, the Citizens of Seattle and Washington, assembled, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of our City, solemnly publish and declare today, July  3, 2005, to be INDEPENDENCE FROM OIL DAY and further declare, That we the People ought to be Free and Independent from a reckless and dangerous dependence on Oil, and as Free and Independent Citizens, we shall pursue with keen Intelligence to contract Alliances and establish Commerce and Creativity that shall promote this aim –– to conclude Peace, and to do all other Acts and Things which States Independent from Oil may of right do and enjoy.

The signers of this Declaration represent a new America and a renewed Hope for our future Happiness and Security –


printer friendly version