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Blankenship aiming to own W.Va.
[Aug-24-2006]
DIANE W. MUFSON: Blankenship aiming to own W.Va.
A unique sepia-toned brochure sits on the top shelf of my bookcase. It was given to me shortly after our family moved to West Virginia 30 years ago this August.
The brochure, reprinted from The Herald-Advertiser and The Herald-Dispatch in December 1974, is titled "Who Owns West Virginia?" It was written by Tom D. Miller, who for many years reported general and legislative news for the Huntington newspapers.
The 28-page pamphlet should be required reading for every person of voting age in West Virginia. It delineates how this state has long been controlled by outside interests, particularly coal, timber and gas. Now in 2006, it is reported that Don Blankenship, CEO of Massey Energy, has announced he is aiming to take control of the West Virginia Legislature by using millions of dollars of his own money, while still seeking contributions from physicians and perhaps others, to elect his candidates. Nothing has changed.
If the 1974 report was depressing, Mr. Blankenship's goal is scarier. West Virginia continues to need economic development, but not a repeat performance of "Who Owns West Virginia?"
The people of West Virginia have traditionally had little to say about the control of their state. As Miller reported years ago, "Absentee landlords own or control at least two thirds of the privately held land in West Virginia." Throughout much of this state, people realized that you either worked for or publicly agreed with the policies of the big powerful companies, or you were unemployed.
We, like every other state in the nation, have some legislators who have not done the best job possible. We also have a history of voting scandals and ethics problems clearly indicating room for legislative improvement. But there is no way that rational, thinking individuals can believe that Mr. Blankenship's plan to replace multitudes of legislators with those of his own choosing is healthy for our state.
In recent years, our legislators have worked to solve some pressing problems. They've addressed mine safety, access to health care, transportation needs, illegal drug usage, the need for decreased food taxes and improved safety and educational opportunities for youth.
And most legislators recognize the need to address problems relating to economic and job development that would encourage young adults to stay in their home state.
There are many positive things CEOs with power and wealth can do besides taking over a legislature. They can, for example, follow Bill Gates' and Warren Buffet's leads and fund far reaching charities or they can endow universities and schools with innovative programs.
West Virginians can choose a variety of paths this election year. They can respond with apathy, giving away their valuable right to vote. Some may feel they should follow powerful energy officials as in past. But hopefully, most voters will study the issues, think independently and support forward-thinking legislators and candidates who will help our state progress.
Mr. Blankenship, the CEO of a major energy company, appears to want to form a legislature that reflects his very own interests. If he succeeds, we will then have the answer to a yet unwritten 2007 edition of "Who Owns West Virginia?" We do not need this. The 1974 edition was frightening enough.
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