Why do the current Republicans want to strip away environmental regulations?

[Harmony Blue]

Wasn't that once an integral part of their own party platform? Not only Democratic Presidents, but also Republican Presidents were important when it came to environmental policy implementation:

Federal Water and Pollution Control Act of 1956
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
Water Quality Improvement Act of 1970
Clean Air Act of 1970
OSHA of 1970
Clean Water Act of 1972
FIFRA of 1972
Endangered Species Act of 1973
Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
RCRA of 1976
CERCLA of 1980
SARA of 1986
Oil Pollution Act of 1990
Food Quality Protection Act of 1994

There are many more but that is the short list of well known ones. So, what has shifted in American politics or American views as to why these regulations are not needed? A big part of the American Economic success is because of these acts being put in place. Why the disconnect with the obvious with the current stable of Republicans? ???

[RGinNJ]

1. Not really sure but,

it seems to me it may be the money they get from the likes of the Koch brothers.

[djean111]

2. Because people like the Kochs consider that regulations eat into profit.

They only care about the short term, too.
When quarterly profit demands run out of workers to let go, they look around at what else is an expense.
Regulations are felt to be an unnecessary expense.
Arsenic in drinking water, for instance - a conservative told me why spend money to test that - arsenic is a naturally occurring substance.
They are thinking and doing with greed, not logic or care.
Bottom line is they only want to spend money on the military.

[Harmony Blue]

3. But how has this type of thinking entered into a segment of the American populace?

The only thing I can think of are Republicans slogans of "Less regulations for free market prosperity" but they never cite what exact regulations they want to strip away? How come no one in the media ever calls them out on it?

[djean111]

5. All of the regulations.

The Kochs want to dump poison into creeks and rivers as a by-product of their paper mills, for instance.
The people who burn coal don't want the expense of limiting emissions.
Amazingly, it seems that the very people whose children are affected by this will still vote GOP.
I assume your question about the media is snark - the media is pretty much owned.

[Auntie Bush]

4. Because it's expensive for businesses and corporations to follow environmental rules.

Most businesses and corporations are Republican. Think global warming prevention! Think clean air...tough on business profits.

[AgingAmerican]

6. Filth = $$

nt

[lastlib]

7. Same reason Bush I vetoed family leave law in the early 90s....

"Family Values!" until it starts cutting into corporate profits. "Bad for business" then!

Defending profits is the raison d'etre of the GOP ("Greedy Old Prudes&quot .