What is our Dear Leader doing to us now? According to the Washington Post (via Raw Story), he plans to make it impossible to obtain information about the environment by slashing the budget for EPA’s nationwide network of libraries:
Proposed budget cuts could cripple a nationwide system of Environmental Protection Agency libraries that government researchers and others depend on for hard-to-find technical information, library advocates say.
The $2 million cut sought by the White House would reduce the 35-year-old EPA Library Network’s budget by 80 percent and force many of its 10 regional libraries to close, according to the advocates and internal agency documents.
That, in turn, would dramatically reduce access to certain EPA reports, guidance and technical documents that are used by the agency’s scientific and enforcement staff as well as private businesses and citizens, they say. […]
The public has a lot at stake in the future of these libraries, said Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a nonprofit advocacy group that obtained internal EPA documents on the proposed cuts.
“We view this as another example of the Bush administration marginalizing EPA research so that the agency scientists and other specialists can’t do their jobs,” Ruch said. “And then in the absence of information, plans by industries and others that have environmental implications go forward.”
Note that last point. These libraries are used not only by the public, but also by the EPA’s own scientists and enforcement staff. So not only will Joe and Jill American find themselves unable to get copies of EPA reports relevant to the businesses and communities, but the EPA’s research and enforcement staffers will be limited in their ability to research current violations of environmental laws.
Who does this measure benefit? Solely POLLUTERS. The people and corporations who don’t take the time or effort necessary to prevent harmful chemicals from entering our air, ground and water. Chemicals that get into our food, our water, our lungs and our bloodstreams. Chemicals known to cause cancer, asthma and a host of other illnesses. Chemicals that exact a terrible toll on ordinary people.
And spare me the “budget cutting means you have to make hard choices” routine. This is a measly $2 million we’re talking about. That is what we spend on Iraq every ten minutes or so. Two million dollars is approximately .003125% of the $64 billion in lost tax revenue our government will lose just this year by making Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy permanent.
This is, pure and simple, a measure designed to help criminals. People who violate the laws that protect the health and well-being of all Americans. Think about that the next time you hear someone talk about Bush and Republicans as compassionate conservatives. The only thing they show any compassion for is the almighty dollar.
Bush Administration’s Proposed Budget Cuts