If You Ever Fall Into Thinking Democrats Are "Just As Bad" As The GOP, Think About The Environment And The Future Of Mankind

The first time I went to Nepal, in 1970, they had just built their first paved road into the country-- in honor of the marriage of the crown prince-- and Kathmandu, the capital, was a fairly pristine city. Now the UN rates its air the world's most polluted. The traffic and the noise pollution are also off the map, and everything is filthy beyond belief. I just got back-- my third trip there-- two weeks ago and I'm still "recovering." Today my doctor sent me to a specialist to figure out what kind of exotic creatures are sharing my body. But you know what's scariest about Kathmandu, other than the grinding poverty and gigantic financial disparity between the poor masses and the rich elite? It's exactly where the GOP is dragging our own country.

You're not going to find many worse corporate shills than Alabama Republican Mike Rogers. This week he bragged how the Republican Party will not just gut Social Security and Medicare if they win the White House and Senate in 2012 but will also shut down the EPA. Republican presidential semi-contenders Michele Bachmann and Newt Gingrich are both campaigning on shutting down the agency, and House Republicans have already voted to defund its operations.

Monday the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition did their best to thwart the House Republicans' determination to further destroy efforts to protect the environment. Idaho wingnut Mike Simpson introduced a bill, H.R. 2584, that will guarantee more polluted drinking water and more polluted air and overturn 40 years of bipartisan progress protecting the environment.

With eight days until the country officially defaults on its debts, likely sparking a worldwide credit crisis, the House of Representatives is busy with legislation aimed at repealing environmental regulations and stymieing conservation efforts.

The Interior and Environmental Protection Agency spending bill for fiscal year 2012 contains policy riders added by panel Republicans to thwart White House-backed initiatives on everything from the EPA's regulation of greenhouse gas emissions to conservation efforts in the Grand Canyon. It would halt new regulations on mountaintop removal mining and prevent the Fish and Wildlife Service from listing new species under the Endangered Species Act.

When the vote was called on the rule that would determine the debate, every single Republican voted to gut the EPA and they were joined by just one corrupt Blue Dog, Sanford Bishop of Georgia. Many Blue Dogs just didn't bother to vote, including Ben Chandler (KY), Mike Ross (AR) (who was busy announcing his retirement), Dan Boren (OK), David Scott (GA), Heath Shuler (NC) and Joe Baca (CA).)

Jim McGovern (D-MA) summed the problem up on the floor early in the debate: "This Interior Appropriations bill represents an unprecedented departure from our nation's decades-long bipartisan commitment to protecting our shared environment, magnificent natural resources, and our cherished cultural treasures." Jim Moran (D-VA), pointed out that all the bill really is at its heart is "a wish list for special interests."

Some of my favorite quotes from the debate Monday came from the most intrepid fighters in the House.

Here's Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ):

Why do Republicans think wiping out environmental protections would help the country more than making sure big corporations stop taking advantage of tax loopholes? Our priorities are very different and very clear. Instead of opening up the Grand Canyon to mining and our nation’s open spaces to logging and drilling, why don’t we create jobs and work on laws to benefit everyone rather than just a wealthy few? We’re going to keep asking these questions until we hear some answers.

And Keith Ellison (D-MN) came right to the point:

This bill is the biggest assault on clean air, clean water, and basic environmental protections that this country has ever seen. Minnesota has a history of commitment to our environment. My constituents did not send me to Washington to advance the interests of Big Oil at the expense of the air we breathe.

Fortunately the reactionary House bill has no chance of passing the Senate, which will rewrite it once Boehner sends it over.


UPDATE: I Bet The GOP Doesn't Like This Infographic Released By The White House Today!

It demonstrates the phenomenal impact of new 54.5 mpg fuel efficiency standards, $8200 in savings over new car lifetime in 2025-- exactly what they oppose, tribally!

The Republican Attack On Clean Air And Water Continues

One day you could wake up & find John Mica's wig in your drinking water

Wednesday the House voted 239-184 to roll back the Clean Water Act, by amending the Federal Water Pollution Control Act in a way that cedes enforcement to state governments which are under equipped and prone to be easily manipulated by corporate polluters. 13 Republicans (in Democratic-leaning districts) voted against John Mica's outrageous legislation and 16 right-wing Democrats crossed the aisle to vote with Cantor and the anti-environment caucus. (The bill was co-sponsored by 35 Republican pro-pollution fanatics and 4 conservative Allegheny area Democrats, Jason Altmire, Tim Holden, Nick Rahall and Mark Critz, who are owned by Big Coal). The Democrats-- no surprises on this list-- voting in favor of poisoned water were:

Jason Altmire (Blue Dog-PA)
Joe Baca (Blue Dog-CA)
John Barrow (Blue Dog-GA)
Dan Boren (Blue Dog-OK)
Leonard Boswell (Blue Dog-IA)
Dennis Cardoza (Blue Dog-CA)
Jim Costa (Blue Dog-CA)
Jerry Costello (IL)
Mark Critz (PA)
Henry Cuellar (Blue Dog-TX)
Tim Holden (Blue Dog-PA)
Mike McIntyre (Blue Dog-NC)
Collin Peterson (Blue Dog-MN)
Nick Rahall (WV)
Mike Ross (Blue Dog-AR)

This was a vote for dozens of Love Canals and for dangerous levels of arsenic and perchlorate in our drinking water-- unless you can afford Fiji Water. Jerry McNerney offered a Motion to Recommit on behalf of the Democrats-- with moderate Republican Walter Jones plus all Democrats but one voting in favor-- that sought to retain the "EPA's authority to set water pollution standards and review permits when pollutants are being discharged into waters that are a source of public drinking water." Cantor insisted the GOP kill it. Nancy Pelosi voiced a concern shared by most Americans aware of what the GOP is up to:

“Americans have been clear that their top priority is creating jobs; this week in Congress, Republicans are ignoring job creation and instead rolling back clean water protections that ensure the safety of the water Americans drink and in which they swim and fish. 
 
“Nearly 40 years ago, the bipartisan Clean Water Act revolutionized the safety of American water; it gave a measure a confidence to families that they can protect their children from toxins and pollutants. Now Republicans want to take our nation backwards. 
 
“This week, Republicans are turning back the clock on progress for the environment and our clean energy future: in addition to today’s misnamed ‘Clean Water’ legislation, they attempted to make light bulbs less energy efficient, at a cost to American consumers of nearly $12.5 billion per year, and voted repeatedly to slash investments in clean energy jobs.   
 
“Republicans should abandon their ideological assault on the environment and get to work creating jobs and strengthening our economy.”

Rachel Maddow was incredible on this last night: