(July 27, 2011 at 9:03 pm)Minimalist Wrote:Quote:ut Democrats argue that the policy prescriptions are proof that Republicans are determined to undo clean air and water protections established 40 years ago.
Many of these new restrictions, they point out, were proposed in the budget debate earlier this year and failed. They are back, the Democrats say, because Republicans are doing the bidding of industry and oil companies.
“The new Republican majority seems intent on restoring the robber-baron era where there were no controls on pollution from power plants, oil refineries and factories,” said Representative Henry A. Waxman, a California Democrat, excoriating the proposal on the floor.
They need to go back to the old way of doing things, when a company pollutes and damages the property and health of the community the people can launch a class action suit with their evidence, toxicity reports etc, bleed the fuckers dry and then use the revenues gained to help the community. Most places now that's not possible, all infringements are handled by a central authority that can vary wildly in policy depending on which special interests the current politicians are sucking off - While an ideal regulator might take infringements seriously others simply won't pursue anything and will remove the ability for the people to seek any damages period.
Pollution IMO is a clear cut case of property rights being violated, it should be easy to prove in a court of law given the physical evidence left everywhere. Should the people be able to demonstrate that this pollution has killed people or deformed pregnancies etc they should even be able to imprison the company executives for negligent manslaughter.
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