SUVs are produced in part by people working under near slavery conditions. The charcoal people, who are illiterate and receive no pension or other benefits from the Brazilian government, produce charcoal from burned trees, which is combined with iron ore to produce iron. This Brazilian pig iron is used to produce the super strong frames of SUVs.      There are an estimated 60,000 charcoal people. They usually begin working at their trade at the age of 7 or 8, helping their parents, and remain in this trade until their death. Their pay is terrible, as are the conditions under which they work.

      Here is an example of a very fine line between slavery and freedom in this, the 21st century - to produce your vehicle. SUV production greatly contributes to the destruction of the Brazilian rain forest. Two tractors with a chain stretched between them literally tear the trees from the ground. These trees then undergo a controlled burn process in a kiln by the charcoal people.
      Who, with the exception of a very few drivers, can honestly justify the need to drive such a vehicle?

Foreign Oil Prices Swell
Trade Deficit
By Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer

     The U.S. trade deficit shot up to a record $28 billion in January as Americans' demand for foreign oil hit an all-time high while sales of exports slipped. The Commerce Department said today that the deficit widened by 13.8 in January compared to a $24.6 billion December deficit, stark evidence that the country began the year with the same weakness in trade that was exhibited throughout 1999.... the U.S. trade deficit is expected to worsen further this year, reflecting continued strong consumer demand in this country and a rising foreign oil bill.
     For January, imports of foreign petroleum climbed to a record high of $7.87, more than double the level of a year ago, when the country was enjoying a big slide in petroleum prices.

Support Your Local Despot

     Half of the oil used to power your SUV comes from overseas producers. Great for the balance of payments deficit...if you're a member of OPEC that is. In addition to the billions we pay to defend these supplies, the big oil companies support any local despot willing to give them carte blanche in extracting oil. Chevron, for example, gives the Nigerian security forces helicopters, boats and money to kill local people protesting the destruction of their land and traditional economy. http://www.igc.org/hrw/advocacy/corporations/nige-update.htm

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