u235

So it's understood that the American public got suckered into buying a package based on the cover art alone. But when they got it home and opened the box they found that it was empty, the contents they paid for was nothing more than a mirage. It happens sometimes, well, ok maybe a lot. The bag looked bigger. The picture "may not resemble actual contents". "Batteries not included".

Well the truth is not everyone bought. We understand that as well. But the sad fact is that those who were suckered are the ones that are finding out that the product they paid for is actually being used by someone else. And what's more, it was never intended to be used by them (although the intent was that they would pay for it).

This administration has never been about "the people". By "the people" I mean the majority of Americans who don't make six digit salaries, who don't own big businesses, who aren't in the energy industry, who aren't republican politicians. This administration has only ever been about them.

Take the current articles on OSHA for example. Under this administration the agency designed to ensure worker safety has done more to repeal safe practices than enforce or add to them. The result is that business wins, by being able to set any rules they like even when substances have been determined as harmful.

This has been exactly the case in the fake-butter additive used in microwave popcorn. Workers exposed to the chemical have come down with life threatening illnesses, documented, researched, proven. OSHA's reaction? Eh, we don't want to impose "unnecessary costs on businesses and the consumer." The actual costs? The death and illness of potentially seven million Americans who work in the food processing industry.

So what has OSHA been up to? Well a presentation called "Adults Do the Darndest Things" by the OSHA chief where the message is "injuries are due to worker carelessness". That's kinda hard to rationalize to the guy who now has only 18% lung capacity and needs a double lung transplant because of the butter-flavor additive. To be more accurate OSHA is actually "working with industry" for "voluntary compliance" with regards the additive. So basically it means... that it's cheaper to hire new workers than replace the additive.

I think nothing better represents the concept that the unqualified but loyal stooges of big business are in charge than a quote from the minority cover-girl/Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to business back in 2002:

"There are more words in the Federal Register describing OSHA regulations than there are words in the Bible. They're a lot less inspired to read and a lot harder to understand. This is not fair."

Fair? Try asking the guy who needs new lungs about fair. Explain to him why the chemical that did that to him is still being used and other people are still getting sick. The fact that you're not "inspired" to read the standards issued by your office only shows that you were the wrong pick for the job.