Why Mine Deaths Are Up

Published on Friday, May 26, 2006 by The Nation
Why Mine Deaths Are Up
by Peter Dreier

The May 20 mine disaster, which killed five coal miners, occurred in Harlan County, Kentucky--infamous for its history of conflict between mine operators and miners. In the 1930s violent strikebusting by Harlan County coal companies against the fledgling United Mine Workers inspired Florence Reese's union anthem, "Which Side Are You On?"

The Bush Administration has made it clear which side it is on. Mine workers have faced increasingly unsafe conditions because of rollbacks of health and safety regulations, the appointment of former mining industry executives to federal mine safety agencies and the slashing of the budget and staff for safety inspection.

The Administration has opposed legislation supported by the United Mine Workers and Democrats in Congress that would require stronger standards on oxygen availability for mine emergencies, mine rescue teams, communications and tracking devices; require immediate notification of accidents and rapid emergency response; set mandatory minimum penalties for egregious and repeated violations; and prohibit the use of dangerous conveyor belts to ventilate work areas.

The cozy relationship between the Administration and the coal industry is sweetened with campaign dollars. Since 2000 the coal mining industry has contributed $10.7 million to federal campaigns, 88 percent to Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
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http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0526-29.htm

"Free the companies from regulation and they'll do the right thing."

Well, markets are subsidized in various ways, so "the Market" isn't really free, and hasn't been so for a long time. so no one does the right thing and they all have a good "rational" market based excuses for putting people in danger.

continue to vote for good old King George

stupid is as stupid does