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11th Hour Effort to Screw American Workers
On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported that political appointees at the Department of Labor were trying to push through regulations making it more difficult to regulate workers’ exposure to chemicals and toxins. It didn’t disclose the proposal (which is required), but Bush’s pet at the DoL, Elaine Chao, is attempting to change the methods used to measure risks to American workers. This is a shady attempt to tie the hands of the next administration in its ability to protest Americans.
The WaPo got its hands on the report. Again, this administration is playing fast and loose with data. I read the 28 page report and pulled out some key pieces. Read more here.
In my detailed post, I close with: And to get to the most fundamental purpose of the attempt at this ruling is to change how they measure carcinogens by using “peer reviewed data” most of which will be forthcoming from the very industries the rulings will affect.
This affects all workers covered by OSHA and MSHA.
But, hey, what's a few million American workers. We'll just grow more. I don't know if this is more of a lack of concern for human lives or a gimme to industry (probably both).
Does it affect you? Someone you know or love?
And please do Recommend this post should you deem it worthy.
Comments (14)
Ooops, first paragraph...should say tie the hands of the next admin to proteCt workers, not protest them.
That's THIS admin's job. :-D
My bad.
July 25, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the end of Bush-Cheney is turning into the blue light special for those that feel entitled to line their pockets at the expense of the middle class. I have little sympathy for those that won't work, but I have real disdain for those that steal with both hands and call it working.
July 25, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
One of the most appalling pet obsessions of this derelict Administration is its ongoing attempt to lock successive administrations to its ugly, regressive legacy.
July 25, 2008 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ms. Joanne,
As always, kudos for great post. rec'd.
Now, please advise what it is we need to do to curtail this process moving forward. Who do we write, call or speak with in order to (at the very least) stall this travesty for the next few months?
Thanks.
July 25, 2008 8:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, a call to the Dem in GA to thank him. He promised to stop this.
Go to my link (in the original post above) and I put an update there with his promise to stop this shit from going through.
And thank you for your kind words!
July 25, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
If a law is written by a corporation, is it still a law? Discuss.
July 25, 2008 11:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, man...how many laws HAVE been written by industry?
I had something on this. Let me look and I will post links.
There are many instances of just this. And sadly, yes.
July 26, 2008 12:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.motherjones.com/news/outfront/2002/09/ma_95_01.html
I know there is more. I will look further.
July 26, 2008 12:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
July 26, 2008 1:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, there's a thought.
Maybe WE might be able to accomplish impeachment since the people who are supposed to do this stuff won't!
July 26, 2008 2:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent, Joanne. You totally rock. Thank you for taking this on. I'm once again so ashamed of these criminals and heartless bastards in the administration, amazed that they aren't in jail or being chased by villagers with torches for the monsters they are, and gratified that there are so many of us who oppose them, and maybe the torches we carry are the ones that shed light on their darkness.
July 26, 2008 1:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Aw, shucks! Thanks!
I hope that people realize what this means IF a President McCain ever takes the reins.
We will be fucked. We're already half way there.
July 26, 2008 2:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Free Trade: The Republican Robber Barons' way:
Export all our jobs, that have strong worker protection standards, and Import all the worker abuse standards from those countries that we send the jobs to.
July 26, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, indeed.
July 26, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
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