I Like Politics

If anyone here lives in "coal country" I'm sorry for what you're going to be dealing with.

Trump signed a bill today overturning the "Stream Protection Rule" which was implemented by Obama. What this means is that now coal companies will have a much easier time dumping mining debris in rivers. The toxic metals obviously get in to the water supply for anyone in the vicinity.

Ripped apart lungs and toxic water to be part of a dying industry with no export value vs. the infrastructure and jobs package Clinton laid out for coal country? And you voted for Trump?

Good luck kids. You're going to need it.

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Northwest · M

This is complex issue. First the good news. The real reason why coal mines went into a decline, is economics. When natural gas is abundant, and cheap, coal mining is not economically viable.

This is the real reason, coal mining jobs are not coming back. This means, that coal mining companies, are not going to have too much coal sludge, to dump in rivers.

The bad news, is that this is not a coal country issue. Water flows downstream, and eventually, it pollutes everything in its path, if it's polluted.

That aside, I think the people screaming for the government, to create coal jobs for them, are hypocrites, when they scream bloody murder, about "loafers". I would be more sympathetic, if they're willing to apply the same "welfare", and "government interference" standards equally.

Ynotisay · M

I agree but I'm not so sure about the industry not coming back. We know coal is more expensive than natural gas and the world market has moved beyond coal so exports aren't viable. But there might be enough government subsidies to still make it attractive to the coal industry. The very people who turned their backs on those who gave their lives for "the company" might again see an opportunity to profit. It's hard to watch. I feel for those folks. They're screwed either way.

Northwest · M

@Ynotisay: Yes, we have a history of subsidizing, to keep people employed. For decades (I don't know if it's still going now), we supported farmers, let them grow crops, bought the output, and destroyed it.

Trump, and coal country politicians, can do just that: provide a dead-ended welfare program, for the same people who are against government welfare. The rest of us need to remain vigilant, and obstructionist, if necessary.

I grew up in a California, when "smog alerts" were part of the daily weather reports. Less than 4 decades later, and thanks to California's strict environmental laws, this is a thing of the past. I also heard the same political BS, about how tighter environmental controls, will kill business. Business thrived, and California became not only the most populous status, but also the largest contributor to the US economy.

I don't want my kids, and their kids, to go back to "smog alerts".

Ynotisay · M

@Northwest: Well as one who moved to L.A. when seeing the mountains was an impossibility on most days, but who can now look out and see snow capped peaks, I'm with you 100% on that one. As is most every Angeleno who gladly pays a little more at the pump to breathe cleaner air.
California not only contributes the most, by far, in federal tax dollars but is the sixth largest economy in the world. I think El Presidente might have his hands full if he keeps up with his threats towards California.

UserNameSW · 46-50, M

The EPA will stop it .... oh right he is trying to get rid of the EPA as well
:( :( ;(

Ynotisay · M

Did you see the House legislation yesterday? Here's the ENTIRE bill.

H.R. 861 - The Environmental Protection Agency shall terminate on December 31, 2018.

And there you go.

Goralski · 56-60, M

But nemo will b ok wount he:(

Ynotisay · M

Must suck to be so weak dude. I feel for you.

bijouxbroussard · F

These people are real idiots if they still think they got a better deal.

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