Fifty three of the Senate’s 59 Democrats gave unelected, overpaid bureaucrats at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a green light yesterday to do pretty much whatever they choose in their quixotic crusade against global warming. All 41 Republicans and six brave Democrats voted for Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s resolution nullifying the EPA’s recent usurpation of authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate the U.S. economy to combat greenhouse gases. Thankfully, this craven surrender of congressional authority isn’t the last word on the issue, assuming that the November elections produce a Senate with enough backbone to reassert the legislature’s rightful power.
In the meantime, it’s vital to understand how bureaucracies function. Whatever else they may do, leading bureaucrats always do two things, regardless of which party controls the White House or Congress: They limit choices available to the rest of us by imposing regulations that increase government power and thus justify expanding their budgets and staffs; and they protect themselves and their turf by suppressing internal dissent, often at any costs.
More corporate welfare and anti-government hypocrisy from the Right- (it’s our money they’re talking about of course).
Congressional Democrats and the White House are toying with different ways to force BP to cover the costs of damages from the Gulf oil spill. But they face stiff opposition from industry…and it seems leading Republicans. In response to a question from TPMDC, House Minority Leader John Boehner said he believes taxpayers should help pick up the tab for the clean up.
“I think the people responsible in the oil spill–BP and the federal government–should take full responsibility for what’s happening there,” Leading Republicant Boehner said at his weekly press conference this morning.
Boehner’s statement followed comments last Friday by US Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue who said he opposes efforts to stick BP, a member of the Chamber, with the bill. “It is generally not the practice of this country to change the laws after the game,” he said. “Everybody is going to contribute to this clean up. We are all going to have to do it. We are going to have to get the money from the government and from the companies and we will figure out a way to do that.”
What about irresponsiblility, honor, and the American Way? All that flies out the window when a corporation is in trouble- and this time it’s not even an American Corporation! Talk about crooks and liars…!!!!!!!!!!!!
fruedian slip- meant to say responsibility. That word and corporate DO NOT go together.
Yea, your comment sum’s up the EPA all right. Who needs to trust corporations when we have the EPA to worry about? Oh I’m sure the EPA will be responsible, it’s not like they have a track record for self serving regulations. Or do they? http://www.altfuels.us/pdf/bad_epa_science_costs.pdf Yep! They are on the ball! I will sleep better now that the EPA is on the job. You may have noticed Rob that I mentioned the letters “EPA” at least four times in my comment here, that’s because the article was about the EPA. I didn’t see it once in your comment. I think you must have a problem with your computer, time to get ‘er checked out Robby! That would be the responsible thing to do!
Oh, gee sorry Hal. My bad. Here I go: I think overall the EPA does a very good job, only they politically are usually castrated and unable to do their jobs to the fullest extent needed.
The EPA is as sorry as the FCC. Sorry, but true. If you don’t know what I said, simply read. Put down your I-phone.
There are as good as the political climate and politicians that help run them. And when the polticians are all paid stooges for industry interests and profits and nothing that’s what you’re left wtih. It ain’t rocket science to figure out that type of problem. And that problem has effected our entire system. Thus the mess we are in now.
Corporations own and run this country. We as citizens have no power, and are used simply to enrich the already rich.
We have become serfs again.
corrections- They are as good… not “there”.
and- “nothing else”…
Wake up America and smell the corporate oppression. It’s smothering you. And it’s killing your country.
Sad to say, but it is people with your mindset that will attempt to change the American dream. Which always has been and will continue to be, work hard, save, tithe, always help others voluntarily when in need, pay your bills on time, taxes, and help the poor that cannot help themselves, volunteer, be responsible, I can go on and on. Use Obama as an example of the opposite of the American way. “Entitlement Society” in it’s wildest dreams. Now, that’s why you will see a major change in November 2010.
Wrong again Paul- I and most other Liberals agree wtih everything you just wrote about what most people want and need to be happy. You and all other Repugs blame the poor, diasabled, mentally ill, aged, and children in need of special services for what you see (correctly I might add) as the diminishing “American way of life”. BUT you are 180 degrees WRONG about that conclusion, and until you wake up and see reality YOU and YOURS are aiding and abetting the raping of this country by large international corporations AND the MIC.
Yes, aiding and abetting. THAT is reality.
When is the last time you volunteered/donated or lifted a hand? That is reality!! Talk is cheap.
By doing those things, which are great and wonderful (I mean that) are you placating your conscience for other things?
Either way- those volntary activities are mere band-aids (albeit very important ones to individuals in need). What I mostly talk about is the macro level of our problems. Volutneering would be, of course, micro.
Unless and until we fix the macro, the micro will continue to deteriorate, and no amount of volunteering will make a dent. It hardly does now.
You didn’t answer my question.
Too busy working two jobs, raising a family, one of which is a foster child. Are you going to go all self-rightous on us now? One-up me?? Nah, not our Paul!
Here it comes. “Poor me, poor me.” I believe you always throw that pithy comment in for pity. Thought you said you had three jobs? Times tough like everyone else I know? Get real nameless one.
No- it’s called discourse and honesty. AND I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION. If you can’t handle it go to the Disney site and have some fun there…
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I can see why.
It was the truth- and I was told the truth shall set you free. I guess I was wrong.
Truth sets you free in your mind, not always in your pocketbook.
Did Confuscous say that???
Profound…. not. Bizarre… yes.
I’m confused by your statement.
You took the words right out of my mouth Paul…
Always do.
Checkmate.