we are experiencing the bu$h*/cheney legacy---WAPO--11/08--'A Last Push To Deregulate'

[spanone]

we are now living with the reality of eight years of bu$h*/cheney


The White House is working to enact a wide array of federal regulations, many of which would weaken government rules aimed at protecting consumers and the environment, before President Bush leaves office in January.

The new rules would be among the most controversial deregulatory steps of the Bush era and could be difficult for his successor to undo. Some would ease or lift constraints on private industry, including power plants, mines and farms.

Those and other regulations would help clear obstacles to some commercial ocean-fishing activities, ease controls on emissions of pollutants that contribute to global warming, relax drinking-water standards and lift a key restriction on mountaintop coal mining.

Once such rules take effect, they typically can be undone only through a laborious new regulatory proceeding, including lengthy periods of public comment, drafting and mandated reanalysis.

"They want these rules to continue to have an impact long after they leave office," said Matthew Madia, a regulatory expert at OMB Watch, a nonprofit group critical of what it calls the Bush administration's penchant for deregulating in areas where industry wants more freedom. He called the coming deluge "a last-minute assault on the public . . . happening on multiple fronts."

much more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/30/AR2008103004749_pf.html

[JuniperLea]

1. K&R!

Brilliant catch, spanone! How soon we forget... those evil SOB's need to rot in hell.

[spanone]

2. they were deregulating everything in sight.

it goes on...just a few months laters kingston tn had that little coal slurry accident...read paragraph # 5 below...

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.

While it remains unclear how much the administration will be able to accomplish in the coming weeks, the last-minute rush appears to involve fewer regulations than Bush's predecessor, Bill Clinton, approved at the end of his tenure.

In some cases, Bush's regulations reflect new interpretations of language in federal laws. In other cases, such as several new counterterrorism initiatives, they reflect new executive branch decisions in areas where Congress -- now out of session and focused on the elections -- left the president considerable discretion.

The burst of activity has made this a busy period for lobbyists who fear that industry views will hold less sway after the elections. The doors at the New Executive Office Building have been whirling with corporate officials and advisers pleading for relief or, in many cases, for hastened decision making.

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. A few days earlier, lawyers for kidney dialysis and biotechnology companies registered their complaints at the OMB about new Medicare reimbursement rules. Lobbyists for customs brokers complained about proposed counterterrorism rules that require the advance reporting of shipping data.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/30/AR2008103004749_pf.html

[Echo In Light]

3. K/R

[enough]

4. This is such an important point. It also makes a very good way to frame a number of issues.

Thanks for the post.

[tyne]

5. Are you sure this applies?

Read:

"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."

[spanone]

6. just quoting the article

[gratuitous]

8. Well, a "new standard" isn't always more stringent

The story doesn't seem to specify whether these new standards apply to oil transport or oil extraction.

[gratuitous]

7. Oh, you libruls! Always looking backward into the past

The future of America is before us! Looking backward to the past isn't the American way. We're dreamers and doers, bringing a vision of greatness into reality. Also. So a bunch of government pencil-pushers can't stick their noses into the business of American business. You're just trying to stifle profits and the all-American spirit of entrepreneurship to further your socialist agenda. Free American business from government interference! It's not like anybody died or anything.

{/palin}

[spanone]

9. bwahahahahaaa

[indepat]

10. junior: the RW gift that will keep on giving for decades if not generations

:P

[spanone]

11. his supreme court nominees will keep the screwing up for many generations