... Another one for the "Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Gore" file -- Bush Favors Repeal of Injury Laws ...
I sez:
Nathan, couldn't one argue that the very vulnerability of the new ergonomically-friendly workplace standards has something to do with the fact that Clinton and the Democrats were too chickenshit to fight for it on the floor of Congress during an election season, choosing instead an eleventh hour executive order (yes, I realize there was staunch opposition among House Republicans). Also, the problem with the "New Democrats" and many of the "Old Democrats" is that they justify such standards on a cost-benefit basis, citing decreased health care expenditures. Why don't they make arguments on the basis of the sanctity of worker health and safety ? It's also amusing to see Mr. Transport Deregulation himself, Ted Kennedy, all up in arms about this, b/c transport deregulation of course has led to abominable worker health and safety (as well as wage and benefit) conditions in both long-haul and short- haul trucking.
My intention is not to take potshots at electoral "lesser-evilism," but to seriously pose the question, don't you think Democratic timidity made these new standards ripe for the plucking from the very beginning ? Same as the Roadless Initiative, etc.
Best,
John Gulick