Bush removes consumer protections

Tuesday, March 27, 2001

By HELEN THOMAS SYNDICATED COLUMNIST

WASHINGTON -- President Bush is fast disposing of the consumer protections proposed by former President Bill Clinton in his final days in office.

Many of the proposals took years to design after extensive surveys, comments from the public and agency assessments of their effect on consumers and business. Making the most of his honeymoon, Bush has moved with lightning speed to cancel many of these rules and regulations.

Bush is firmly establishing his reputation as one who places a higher priority on business cost considerations than on consumer protection.

He got everyone's attention earlier this month when he blocked a Clinton rule that would require power plants to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. In doing so, he broke a campaign pledge.

But it was Environmental Protection Agency administrator Christine Todd Whitman who had to take the heat for that turnabout, not the president. In assuming her federal post, the former New Jersey governor had indicated she was very supportive of Bush's campaign promise to regulate carbon dioxide emissions, which are partially blamed for the global warming phenomenon.

Thumbing his nose again at the Clinton rules, Bush revoked the Clinton administration regulation that would have reduced by 80 percent the permissible level of arsenic in drinking water.

Whitman again was forced to defend the rollback, arguing that there was no evidence that the lower standards for arsenic, a carcinogen, which date back to 1942, would increase the risk of cancer.

Furthermore, she said raising standards would not justify a major expense for the municipalities and industry that would have to comply.

Environmental groups say that millions of Americans are exposed to higher arsenic levels in their drinking water as a result of industrial pollution and mining operations. A National Academy of Sciences study showed that arsenic in drinking water could cause cancer in the lungs, bladder and skin.

Whitman assured reporters at a news conference that she is committed "to safe and affordable drinking water for all Americans." She said that arsenic needs to be regulated but scientific indicators were unclear as to how low the standard should be. "When we make a decision on arsenic, it will be based on sound science and solid analysis," she added.

The decision stunned environmentalists, outraged Democratic lawmakers -- but pleased the National Mining Association. With the rollback on carbon monoxide, it was a second victory for the mining industry and a defeat for public health.

House Democratic leader Richard Gephardt blasted the arsenic decision, saying in a statement: "Our worst fears are being realized as the Bush administration has begun an attack on environmental protection regulations at the behest of their special interest business pals."

Gephardt said the decision on arsenic is "merely a drop in the bucket," noting that the administration has already decided to suspend stiffer regulations on hardrock mining. Those Clinton-imposed rules would have required mining companies to post bonds guaranteeing that they would clean up any pollution caused by their mining operations.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., announced he is investigating the administration's "accelerated campaign to try to rescind or eliminate a range of public health and safety and environmental protections." He said the administration actions threaten "to befoul the air we breathe, the water we drink and the lands we cherish."

Earlier, the administration and the Republican majority in Congress torpedoed new ergonomics rules designed to protect workers from repetitive stress injury.

Incidentally, Bush and his family don't have to worry about clean drinking water at the White House. A modern filtration system was installed in the Executive Mansion when it was thought that the thyroid problems afflicting President Bush I, his wife Barbara and even their dog Millie might have stemmed from the rusty pipes in the White House.

It was later determined that their health problems were not due to the water system.

So what's next, Mr. President?

I'm worried that Bush is bent on keeping his campaign promises to his patrons in big business. For them, it's payback time -- big time.

The decisions on carbon dioxide and arsenic may be only the start of a Bush-led war against other environmental regulations, at the price of the people's health and safety.

Bill Kovacs, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce official, had accused Clinton of "trying to put the next administration in a straitjacket" by promulgating a series of last-minute consumer-protection rules.

Bush is starting to end that bondage. But how do those anti-regulatory moves square with his pledge to be the "president of all the people"?

Need I ask?

-- Dumbya (filthy lying bastard @ buttfucking. Americans), March 28, 2001

Answers

Well, Ms PottyMouthThereforeStreetwiseHipLiberal poster, how come when Bill kept his own campaign promises to big business it was all hushed up? Oh, wait, this is Helen you're quoting. I guess this is what Bush gets for not letting her interrupt him during the recent press conference.

-- bagofgold (bog@cosworth.com), March 29, 2001.

I thought Helen Thomas was dead. Ooops, she just looks that way.

-- helen of gross (moreinterpretation@ugly.com), March 29, 2001.