Oil & Gas Exploration Makes US Question - Are we Free?

When the government grants an Oil & Gas company permission to enter upon an individual's land, against the owner's wishes, who is exercising authority over that land?

When the government’s permission allows the O&G company to alter the surface, damage it and to control it for an indefinite period of time, who really is the owner of the land?

What does it mean when the Constitution says that individuals are FREE to acquire possess and have authority over their own land? We must decide, - are we a nation of freemen or, are we a nation of free enterprise that is free to enslave men?

Make no mistake; if a man is not free to own property, a man is not free. If a man cannot own property then he is the property of someone else. Owning property means having authority over it. Simply having your name on a deed, without authority, is not property ownership.

The Bill of Rights to the Constitution SPECIFICALLY cites and provides protection for our FREEDOM and SAFETY. Unfortunately, we are living in a time when both of those take a backseat to corporate interests, which is not specifically cited or given priority protections by the Constitution.

This issue can be understood in the context of corporate power and greed. It can be understood by recognizing government ignorance, incompetence and corruption. We must all understand that it's not a bad thing stand up for what's right. It is okay to bring a lawsuit against a company, your government, or even your neighbor when your basic constitutional freedoms are being violated. Like the song says, if not you - who, if not now - when?