President Bush & Co. easing safety and pollution rules

Keeping in mind that it is more difficult to undo a government regulation than it is to put one into place, President Bush's aides are making a final push to shape the federal rule book -- and weaken the regs that protect consumers and the environment.

The idea is to put the new rules into effect before Bush leaves office -- knowing that whether he is followed by Barack Obama or John McCain, the changes are likely to remain in place for a long time.

In bits and pieces, the administration has been chipping away, tweaking here, chain-sawing there, in an effort to redraw the government's reach -- and in many cases, pull it back.

Countdown to Crawford reported on a couple of moves earlier this month, including one to limit product-safety lawsuits by consumers and states.

The Washington Post took a look at the administration's efforts today, noting:

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.

The paper noted that the latest changes would reduce obstacles to some commercial fishing activities, reduce controls on the emissions that contribute to global warming, "relax drinking-water standards and lift a key restriction on mountaintop coal mining."

If a new administration wants to remove the rules, in most cases it would have to go through a lengthy regulatory proceeding involving a period of public comment, rule-writing and analysis of the proposed changes.

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo: Jeff Gentner / Associated Press

Comments

[Brian]

So, he's hiding the key to the office supply closet on his way out the door (a very toned down metaphor from my original thought). Thanks.

[Chuck Pickert]

Bush continues to mess up our country as usual. He will go down as the biggest failure as a US President and he doesn't even care. I hate to say that I used to be Republican and voted for him two time. My mistake. Not any more I am voting for Barack Obama. He and We all have one big mess to clean up!!

Later days Bush!!

Chuck Pickert

[simon]

bush, can you please just leave things alone?! you have certainly done enough! just sit quietly with your thumb up your butt (like you have been for most of the past 8 years) and let things run their course until you leave!

[Phil Ball]

If you knew your man Bush, er, McCain was going to lose, would you still send money?
Would you be ready to stand in line for five hours this Tuesday to vote?
If you know he doesn't stand a chance, how much of your time are you willing to spend on voting?
The National Republican Committee and many state Republican organizations will be at the polling places to delay the vote with challenges and other disruptions.
Their strategy is to make the wait so long that people simply walk away.
For McCain supporters this means a painful experience, and for naught.
In fact, many of them are likely to be the first to go home rather than tolerate hours on their feet, waiting...
As for the Obama supporters, it would appear that nothing short of a nuclear attack is going to keep them from voting. But judge for yourself who is the most likely to head home or stick it out and vote.....

http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=24082 .......

http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=24137......

If you know McCain/Palin will lose, why bother?