House Republicans Embrace Cancer Causing Cups

[demmiblue]

Source: Think Progress


In the midst of the 1976 energy crisis, President Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the roof of the White House’s West Wing. The symbolic installation was taken down by the Reagan administration, only to be restored years later by President Obama.

Likewise, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), upon becoming Speaker of the House in 2007, launched an initiative called “Green the Capitol,” which replaced Styrofoam and plasticware in the Capitol cafeteria with cups made of cornstarch and recyclable utensils. This January, following in Reagan’s misguided footsteps, the Republican-controlled House Administration Committee cut key parts of Pelosi’s “Green” initiative, and ordered the switch of recyclable materials to non-biodegradable Styrofoam to be used in the House cafeterias.

Yesterday, in a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and other Republican leaders, nine Democrats wrote that the heath of Americans are being jeopardized because Styrofoam is a known carcinogen:

<snip>

The House Republicans’ decision to reinstate Styrofoam is only part of their egregious environmental agenda. Every House Republican last week voted against stripping the five largest oil companies of taxpayer funded subsidies — which would have saved tens of billions of dollars. Even more indicative of the Republicans’ atrocious environmental agenda is the near unanimous support of the Energy Tax Prevention Act, which would overturn the EPA’s finding that heat-trapping gases and carbon dioxide carry a severe threat to the environment and public health. The measure is expected to pass the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power today.


http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2011/03/10/congress-styrofoam-cancer/

[HopeHoops]

1. What do you bet a fucking Koch company is providing the crap.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Goddamn these people to hell.

I almost think they revel in the destruction of the environment we all must live in.

:mad:


Recommended.

[Iris]

7. They are determined to drive this country backwards.

It's truly frightening.

[virgogal]

3. Millions of A.A. members all over the world are in big trouble if

Styrofoam is a known carcinogen.

[Avant Guardian]

4. Republicans shit where they eat and sleep

[TalkingDog]

9. Water finds it's own level.

As does feces.

[grilled onions]

5. I Can Remember When We Used Real Cups

They were healthy. Yes they required cleaning and storage but who's to say many stored cups today have not been trampled on by rodents or bugs? Also the garbage detail was a lot less as the cups were stacked up at night and not tossed in garbage bins. As for these idiots who insist on disposable why can't they at least use commuter mugs and just refill them? Again less waste,less garbage.
Why do they insist on this country going backwards?

[former9thward]

6. Why aren't these Democrats trying to protect our health and not just their own.

If they have evidence from scientists that Styrofoam cups cause cancer why aren't they presenting it and trying to get those cups baned everywhere? They are just trying to protect themselves.

[TalkingDog]

8. Let them. Every body else can bring their own, noncancer causing kind.

as for what befalls them because of it... we'll put it down to personal responsiblity.

[felix_numinous]

10. They want to bring on Armageddon

the idea gives them a woodie.