In the glare of the presidential race, the results of these rules will end up as a shock to Americans, if they ever hear about their effects. More likely, if they do hear about them, I fear they'll expect an Obama presidency to wave its magic wand to solve the problems that are sure to follow.
But enough abstract discussion. Look below for some of the actions the Bushies are taking.
In a nutshell, Bush's actions will deregulate industries. They're continuing to hide from or defy reality, which has clearly shown deregulation to be a bad idea. They're counting on Democrats to actually follow the rules next year too: undoing Bush's actions will require holding proceedings, long public comment periods, drafts and finally new rule implementation. [emphasis mine]
As many as 90 new regulations are in the works, and at least nine of them are considered "economically significant" because they impose costs or promote societal benefits that exceed $100 million annually. They include new rules governing employees who take family- and medical-related leaves, new standards for preventing or containing oil spills, and a simplified process for settling real estate transactions.
According to the Office of Management and Budget's regulatory calendar, the commercial scallop-fishing industry came in two weeks ago to urge that proposed catch limits be eased, nearly bumping into National Mining Association officials making the case for easing rules meant to keep coal slurry waste out of Appalachian streams. ... Lobbyists for customs brokers complained about proposed counterterrorism rules that require the advance reporting of shipping data.
The article continues with news that set my teeth on edge [emphasis mine]:
One rule, being pursued over some opposition within the Environmental Protection Agency, would allow current emissions at a power plant to match the highest levels produced by that plant, overturning a rule that more strictly limits such emission increases. According to the EPA's estimate, it would allow millions of tons of additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually, worsening global warming.
A related regulation would ease limits on emissions from coal-fired power plants near national parks.
A third rule would allow increased emissions from oil refineries, chemical factories and other industrial plants with complex manufacturing operations.
The Cons' desire to destroy Americans' lives, our institutions, economy and our planet has never ceased to amaze me. Their worldview is beyond foreign to me.
Tuesday is important. What happens after Tuesday matters just as much. We're going to have to keep working every day to minimize and reverse the damage the Cons have done.
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