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One
Nation Merges with United Property Owners
December 29, 2004
One Nation, Inc., the Oklahoma-based
energy and agriculture coalition that has stirred nationwide
attention by raising public awareness over what it calls
"flawed federal Indian policies" will merge with a
twenty-year-old grassroots organization based in Redmond,
Washington, and Thousand Oaks, California, with members in 38
additional states.
Newly formed One Nation United, a
501(c) 4 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, will emerge from the
combination of One Nation and United Property Owners, a group with
more than 100,000 members based in Washington State since its
inception in the 1980s. The new organization made up of thousands
of individuals and companies in energy, agriculture, retailing,
and manufacturing as well as local governments, elected officials,
law enforcement and community groups, will begin operation on
January 1, 2005.
Barb Lindsay, a founder and the only
Executive Director in UPO's history, will be National Director and
Spokesperson.
Mickey Thompson, President of the
Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA), and well-known
oilman and politico Mike Cantrell, founded One Nation in 2002.
Cantrell has resigned his position with the original One Nation
organization and is not involved in the new entity, which will be
headquartered in California.
"The merger of these
organizations will combine the tremendous business-industry
support behind One Nation with the proven effective grassroots
reach of United Property Owners. Most of these issues require a
federal government focus and a nationwide reach," Thompson
said.
"The mission of the newly formed
organization will continue to be to positively impact local,
state, and federal government policies relating to protection of
private property rights, tax fairness, and environmental
regulatory certainty," Lindsay added.
Cantrell chose not to join the merged
entity because of business commitments. "Obviously, now is a
great time to be in the oil and gas business," Thompson said.
"It's what Mike knows best and where he wants to focus his
time."
"Mike's vision for these issues
and his tenacity as a fund-raiser will be difficult to
replace," Lindsay added. "We've begun recruiting a
national governing board and look forward to continuing this
important work."
Among the issues most important to the
newly formed group is that non-tribal retailers are unable to
compete against subsidized tribally owned businesses who don't
bear most tax and regulatory burdens. Citizen groups represented
under the ONU umbrella are concerned about having a meaningful
voice in how their communities' future is shaped when casino
tribes ignore land use, environmental, zoning, and water
regulations that all others must follow. The group is now calling
for a nationwide moratorium on new fee-to-trust conversions for
the purpose of siting additional tribal casinos until
comprehensive reforms are enacted by Congress.
Additionally, dozens of tribes
nationwide are seeking regulatory authority for water and air
quality programs, ("Treatment Similar To States"/TSTS
policy promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency) to give
tribal governments jurisdiction over non-tribal businesses on
privately owned lands outside reservation borders.
Other important issues of concern are
removal of millions of dollars of property from local tax rolls
when purchased by tribal governments, the protection of private
property and water rights for landowners and local governments,
the egregious "tribal loophole" in McCain-Feingold
Campaign Finance Reform, and the problematic nature of doing
business with tribal enterprises that cannot be sued (sovereign
immunity).
"We believe tribes can achieve
economic success without inherently unfair tax and regulatory
advantages that distort the free enterprise marketplace,"
said Lindsay. "We think these issues deserve public
attention, serious debate, and balanced resolution. Tribes must
respect state sovereignty (including environmental rules and tax
codes) just as we all must honor tribal sovereignty. Mutual
respect is the bottom line requirement for all of us."
One Nation United Statement of Principles Belief that the strength of the United States of America lies in respecting the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and each State's Constitution.
Belief in individual rights, private
property rights, and freedom. Each individual's ethnic and
racial background is an example of the beauty of America's
diversity.
Belief in equal rights, equal justice,
and equal opportunity for all U.S. citizens, regardless of
race, creed, sex, age, or disability. Unity gives America
its strength.
Belief that encouragement of
responsible free enterprise and individual initiative is
essential to America's goal of equal opportunity, economic
growth, and continued prosperity. Tax fairness and environmental
regulatory certainty require all citizens to share equally
in both the burdens and benefits of government.
Belief that government-supported
tribal monopolies pose a serious threat to the established
tenets of a market-based economy that have made America
strong, competitive, and unified.
Respect for the rights of individuals
and groups freely to assemble. We celebrate diversity under
the equal protection of the law and support freedom of
cultural and religious expression. Our primary purpose is to
protect and defend the unity of America, supporting what brings us
together and opposing needless divisiveness.
Belief that the most effective,
responsible, and responsive government at all levels is a
representative government, which is closest to the People.
The U.S. Constitution promises us a voice and a vote in the
government that regulates and taxes us. The "Consent of
the Governed" must be upheld.
Belief that Americans must preserve
and strengthen our national sovereignty by living together
as one nation, with emphasis on equal inclusion and
acceptance of the diverse, multicultural heritages that comprise
our country. We should allow no tribal, foreign, or
international agenda to negatively impact America or its way
of life.
Finally, belief that One Nation United
is a viable organization for informing citizens of these
principles and their application to local, state, and
federal governments so they may make informed and responsible
decisions in the best interests of their family, local community,
and nation.
Contact: Barb Lindsay, National Executive Director and
Spokesperson for One Nation United
805-523-0524 or 206-660-3085
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