veronica_rich: (john adams)
veronica_rich ([personal profile] veronica_rich) wrote2011-09-02 05:05 pm

I'm surprised they haven't found a way to outlaw the idea of "Labor Day" yet

Saw in the news that Obama pussed out again to his Republican overlords, by backing off EPA recommendations to reduce air pollution. If we were a compromising society, you might make me see some value in actually compromising to give businesses more time to make affordable transitions to systems that don't, y'know, pump poison into the air just provide more adult-onset asthma and higher cancer and heart disease rates.

However ... we are nowhere near a compromising society in this country, at least not at the top level. Not anymore. And, we won't be for probably another 20 years again, if we hang on for that long. Look at past economic cycles - it takes a couple of decades from the trough of a depression, maybe a little less, for people to appreciate that moderation and common sense are sensible approaches to creating economic and health policy.

I think what grabbed me the most in this article was this: A spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, had muted praise for the White House, saying that withdrawal of the smog regulation was a good first step toward removing obstacles that are blocking business growth.

"But it is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to stopping Washington Democrats' agenda of tax hikes, more government 'stimulus' spending, and increased regulations, which are all making it harder to create more American jobs," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said.


This is what happens when you show the enemy your soft underbelly, or give the school bully your lunch money just once. You can never NOT do it from that point on (although in the case of the bully, beating the tar out of him or her usually works to reestablish some respect).

Good weekend, all. I'm going to watch some Doctor Who and try to finish a fic or two, to regulate my blood pressure! :-)

[identity profile] johnnypenn.livejournal.com 2011-09-02 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
So much for labor day, My dad has to leave on monday to India because his boss is stupid with the calander. *lame*

[identity profile] beldar.livejournal.com 2011-09-02 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
When I think of EPA controls and regulation I remember the summer I worked at a paper mill (one of a bunch of college students who did odd jobs around the mill in the summer) and a bunch of the systems got backed up and caused spills around the plant because they had been warned of a "surprise" inspection by the EPA in the next week and had turned their anti-pollution devices on.

Of course, industries care about the environment and can be trusted to monitor themselves, why do you ask? (/sarcasm)

Saw a "Conservative alert" e-mail today noting that no jobs were created in August -- funny, we've had the Bush tax cuts extended for most of a year, and the deficit showdown concluded with promises of drastic cuts and no tax raises on anyone. Don't see why the job creators haven't kicked it into gear as the GOP promised.

[identity profile] veronica-rich.livejournal.com 2011-09-05 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
I used to cover a committee down South that made monthly reports to the county commission about air quality issues. The town had several factories in it - including a paper factory and a corn syrup factory. A lot of people had moved to the area to retire from colder climates, hadn't been sick, and after a few years were developing adult-onset asthma and cancer. That was several years ago, and those people were excited about the possibility of EPA finally getting off dead center after so many years and naming standards for air pollution. These were people who realized it wasn't going to happen during the Bush administration - but they had hopes whoever came next might be more accepting of the idea that businesses will not regulate themselves to benefit mere human beings' health at the expense of some profits.

Apparently not.

[identity profile] pir8fancier.livejournal.com 2011-09-03 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
We need a national slogan. GROW A PAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[identity profile] gobsmacked.livejournal.com 2011-09-04 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm surprised they haven't found a way to outlaw the idea of "Labor Day" yet
I hear that there is a movement afoot to change the name to "Management Day" but it stalled when in came into competition with similarly themed movements to create "Bosses Week" or "Big Business Month". Those holidays will require at least one extra day of work without pay from all employees. The money saved goes directly to pay for spa weekends for upper management (small businesses) or Caribbean vacations (for big business and government)

[identity profile] veronica-rich.livejournal.com 2011-09-05 02:13 am (UTC)(link)
You write it so sarcastically, as though it wouldn't actually happen, given half a chance ...