WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama on Friday sacked a controversial proposed regulation tightening health-based standards for smog, bowing to the demands of congressional Republicans and some business leaders.
Obama overruled the Environmental Protection Agency and directed administrator Lisa Jackson to withdraw the proposal, in part because of the importance of reducing regulatory burdens and uncertainty for businesses at a time of rampant uncertainty about an unsteady economy.
The announcement came shortly after a new government report on private sector employment showed that businesses essentially added no new jobs last month -- and that the jobless rate remained stuck at a historically high 9.1 percent.
The withdrawal of the proposed regulation marks the latest in a string of retreats by Obama in the face of Republican opposition. Last December, he shelved, at least until the end of 2012, his insistence that Bush-era tax cuts should no longer apply to the wealthy. Earlier this year he avoided a government shutdown by agreeing to Republican demands for budget cuts. And this summer he acceded to more than a $1 trillion in spending reductions, with more to come, as the price for an agreement to raise the nation's debt ceiling.
In the face of this disappointing retreat by Obama, the president has the nerve to include the following statement as a disclaimer of sorts:
"I will continue to stand with the hardworking men and women at the EPA as they strive every day to hold polluters accountable and protect our families from harmful pollution," he saidReally?
Is this how you plan to embark on that endeavor Mr. President?
photo credit: Juan's Rants
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The Emperor hath no stones.
ReplyDeleteBoehner has one in a jar and Cantor has the other one.
Really disappointing move from O.
Money and lots of upcoming campaign dollars got him to change his mind.
ReplyDeleteWhat a hypocrite!!!
Corporate America is sitting on a two trillion dollar cash pile. Somehow I don't think this is going to make them let go of any of it.
ReplyDelete"So, if you're having trouble breathing, or if you just occasionally do breathe, kindly help the president out and hold your breath until the year 2013 or later," Olbermann said. Later, speaking to a guest about the issue, he was equally scornful.
ReplyDelete"Who on earth in the White House thinks this is a positive for them and in which delusional parallel universe do they live?" he asked.
Olbermann Excoriates Obama
This is news! This is exactly what President Obama said he would not change, but this is politics as normal! Hamstring the agency that really does look out for the "little people" you know, the ones that vote! (and those that don't but should be granted amnesty). How utterly absurd of the President of Change. If the EPA could do their job, maybe the horrible climate change that is happening, would be slowed. Major flooding, droughts, and now wildfires (not in California!). Thank you Max and team for letting us know what is really happening out there!
ReplyDeleteRemind me again what party has the WH?
ReplyDeleteI would swear the reds are still in control.
Who influenced the President and the EPA?
ReplyDeletehttp://blog.ucsusa.org/so-who-influenced-the-presidents-ozone-decision