For all of those folks counting down the minutes until George W. Bush leaves office you can rest assured you are not alone. Washington’s business lobby has its eye on that clock, and anticipating Democratic gains, is pushing the Administration for some last minute goodies. The Sunday New York Times highlighted some of the hopes and aspirations of the friends of W as he leaves office. What might some of those “favors” be?
Hoping to lock in policies backed by a pro-business administration, poultry farmers are seeking an exemption for the smelly fumes produced by tons of chicken manure. Businesses are lobbying the Bush administration to roll back rules that let employees take time off for family needs and medical problems. And electric power companies are pushing the government to relax pollution-control requirements.
I refuse to make the obvious joke that comes to mind with regards to chicken manure, so lets move on. What else is on the wish list?
At the Interior Department, coal companies are lobbying for a regulation that would allow them to dump rock and dirt from mountaintop mining operations into nearby streams and valleys. It would be prohibitively expensive to haul away the material, they say, and there are no waste sites in the area. Luke Popovich, a vice president of the National Mining Association, said that a Democratic president was more likely to side with “the greens.”
What do the “greens” say.
A coalition of environmental groups has condemned the proposed rule, saying it would accelerate “the destruction of mountains, forests and streams throughout Appalachia.”
What else you ask. Well there is more.
At the Transportation Department, trucking companies are trying to get final approval for a rule increasing the maximum number of hours commercial truck drivers can work. And automakers are trying to persuade officials to set new standards for the strength of car roofs — standards far less stringent than what consumer advocates say is needed to protect riders in a rollover.
Naturally the Bush EPA is involved in formulating some new regs.
On another issue, the Environmental Protection Agency is drafting final rules that would allow utility companies to modify coal-fired power plants and increase their emissions without installing new pollution-control equipment.
The Edison Electric Institute, the lobby for power companies, said the companies needed regulatory relief to meet the growing demand for “safe, reliable and affordable electricity.”
Quite an agenda, and I have not listed all of the publicly discussed items referenced. These last minute regulations cannot be waived away by a new President, as George W. Bush found when he took office. Democrats need to be focused on the most noxious of these potential regs. with an eye towards blocking or setting the stage for potential reversal in 2009. Read the
New York Times article at this link.
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Bill Manzi.com 
Well it’s nice to see that the pubby lobbyists will leave no stone unturned in their quest to jeopardize the health, welfare, and safety of their constitutuencies. Even to the point that in their quest to slime up regulations, they’re anxious to recruit blue dog democrat lobbyists to help them in their ignoble quest moving forward. Shamefully, based on what I’ve seen/heard since this ‘democratic’ congress has been elected, it is my belief that blue dog democrats are merely republicans in disguise. It doesn’t matter much anymore who is in control of congress, the electorate is merely a footnote.
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Your Honor,
This is more like it. I see the gloves are off.
By the way, is Mark Rick still free. I would have likened this 11th hour sleaze act from the sleaze man himself.
Now we will get Clinton 2, the movie. Sponsored by all the labor unions, abortionists, and all the gimme folks that the Democrat party is polluted with.
With Clinton 2 and Patric 1 inn charge, I see a great future for Methuen and all the rest of the country.
Clinton will be making investments in America trasnlated as, “she will tax the pants of of all of us, Democrat, Republican et al”.
She says she is going to seize the profits of the oil companies. Our own Hugo Charveze.
Jim has it right, the electorate is insignificant compared to the lobbyists and friends of those in power.
By the way, speaking of sleaze and honesty, when will we get our property tax relief. (And they say George Bush is a liar.)
Keep this one open, I would love to update it. I think there will be many chances in the near future.
Are you ready for 20 million new instant citizens?
Your Conservative Friend.
Jules
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Jules Gordon ROCKS!!
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Your Honor,
First I would like to insure Karen that this is just a beginning.
Since our mayor has told us how great things are going to be under the upcoming Democrat victory, I thought I would keep him aware of the actual facts as they present themselves in the news.
There is a laboratory experiment underway to test the affects of a persistent and overwelming Democratic majority on a community.
It’s called Massachusetts.
For what the taxpayers pay we are poorly served.
1. Education is generally poor even though (or because) the state feeds money and regulations as well as backs the teachers union to keep our kids dumb, especially in the urban areas.
2. I spite of the fact that the state taxes us in a myriad of ways, the roads are in very poor shape and could be dangerous.The state will be required to raise revenue to pay for years of neglect.
3. Our governor ran his election based, on part, in promising property tax reduction. Anyone want to explain this lie to me.
4.The favoring of unions has cost the taxpayer dearly; enriching police road details, giving state unions the VETO over optional choices of health and retirement plans to help reduce town operating budgets. More later.
Today’s News;
Governor Patric, facing runaway budget shortfalls, just added 1.1 million dollars for staff expansion.
Boston wants to do warrant-less inspections of homes to search for weapons while the same gang is upset about the NSA overseas wiretaps for the countries protection. This same group (read Democrats ) wants to put a tracking monitor in your car to bill you five cents a mile. How’s that for 1984.
There is a handful of Republicans in the legislature and the Republican governors were never veto proof.
So if you are ready for a “Massachusetts” times 50, hold on to your hat.
Just remember, if Enron was a Government entity it would still be in business.
Stay tuned.
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Let me address the substance of Jules comments in a later post. For now I will address the “Jules rocks” comment. It has become very clear to me that Jules Gordon has catapulted into celebrity status by his participation on this blog. I now must endure comments all over Methuen like “hey, we agree with Jules Gordon” or more infuriatingly “excuse me Mr. Mayor but have you actually met Jules Gordon”?. The last straw was when I saw a “Jules for Mayor” sign at a Manzi campaign event. Maybe this blog wasn’t such a good idea.
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Your Honor,
I was a great idea. It has given me a place to tweak the nose of the overwhelmingly Democratic majority.
The all Democrat Massachusetts experiment presents me with an opportunity point out the weaknesses without rancor.
I await your substantive reply as promised in the December 4th entry.
Jules
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Your Honor,
This is a great blog to say “welcome to Taxachusetts”.
Someone has to tell me how the next few years will be kind to people on fixed incomes.
This is going to be a disaster. By the time Duval Patric gets through with doing his budget busting antics there will be less and less for the city and towns. In fact we may be facing a state tax increase.
A double hit on property tax relief.
How is this guy better than George W.Bush? Runs to his western home, leaves us devoid of any concept of his plans except they will cost billions.
Women and children first.
Jules.
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Your Honor,
As the loyal opposition, I want to wish you, your family and all the people who respond to the subject matter contained herein, a Merry Christmas and a joyous and “prosperous” new year.
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Thank you Jules. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a happy healthy New Year.
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