Thread: TRUMP TRANSITION: Trump names Scott Pruitt

I would like an EPA that is totally non-partisan, not aligned with any group, any industry.

I would like one that enforced, really enforced, sensible rules based on what is right and necessary and not because the owner has the President on his 'speed dial'.

I would like the EPA punishments be stringent enough the wrongdoer won't be able to say 'it's cheaper to pay the fine than fix the problem'.

There should be no fines or only small fines, there should only be fix the problems. The fines become fees like what we see in USCIS, "let them in so we collect our fee". Same with fines, multiple layers of regulations with fines for each one where the agency stacks the deck and produces a bill that makes it even harder for the company to then pay to fix the problem. The focus needs to be on fixing the problems, not paying fines.

Originally Posted by Judy

There should be no fines or only small fines, there should only be fix the problems. The fines become fees like what we see in USCIS, "let them in so we collect our fee". Same with fines, multiple layers of regulations with fines for each one where the agency stacks the deck and produces a bill that makes it even harder for the company to then pay to fix the problem. The focus needs to be on fixing the problems, not paying fines.

Oh, I think there should be fines. These fines can repay the taxpayers for whatever it cost us to investigate and arrive at the solution. It should also go to pay for fixing whatever damage they have done.

Unless it is a first time offense and the wrongdoer was unaware of the problem or that he/she was offending - then just fines for cost and cleanup. If it is a second = or more, then the offender should be fined enough to make them remember, and those in charge be held personally responsible.

Personally, the EPA has seemed like a joke - a tool for those with enough money and connections.

Industry does create a lot of environmental problems and we do need an agency that monitors and makes corrections. Unfortunately, it has been one that turns a blind eye to certain people. Also, sometimes it seems it has been used to take harsh measures with others who just might be in competition with those 'connected' one.

I'm all for business, but I have seen water and air polluted and we have to make a decision of when the cost to our environment is too high. I am naive enough to believe we can have both industry and clean air, water and soil.

The mistake we have made on far too many issues in this country is to make it political. The best way to make sure the people, this country and the needs of both, are not in the equation, is to make it political.

Look what it has done for illegal immigration , education, abortion, civiil rights. The media presents it as a right/left issue, and the country divides down the middle and fuses at each other and the people making money from this just to continue to do sol.

Oh, I think there should be fines. These fines can repay the taxpayers for whatever it cost us to investigate and arrive at the solution. It should also go to pay for fixing whatever damage they have done.

These companies ARE the taxpayers. These companies are responsible for every dime of federal tax collected. It is their businesses and revenues that fund everything in every level of government. Sometimes I think people forget about that.

Originally Posted by Judy

There should be no fines or only small fines, there should only be fix the problems. The fines become fees like what we see in USCIS, "let them in so we collect our fee". Same with fines, multiple layers of regulations with fines for each one where the agency stacks the deck and produces a bill that makes it even harder for the company to then pay to fix the problem. The focus needs to be on fixing the problems, not paying fines.

I strongly disagree! There should be fines and I'm not talking about small fines that businesses consider a part of the cost of doing business. I'm talking about hefty fines that truly punish the guilty. Seriously cut into their profits and you get their attention!

Originally Posted by Judy

These companies ARE the taxpayers. These companies are responsible for every dime of federal tax collected. It is their businesses and revenues that fund everything in every level of government. Sometimes I think people forget about that.

I don't understand - you will have to run that one past me again - getting old.

Originally Posted by Judy

These companies ARE the taxpayers. These companies are responsible for every dime of federal tax collected. It is their businesses and revenues that fund everything in every level of government. Sometimes I think people forget about that.

Wow, now I've heard it all. That's just a ridiculously silly argument for not penalizing companies for breaking the rules and participating in the destruction of our environment. Having them clean up a mess they create is not a punishment. Some things are just more important than money and our environment is certainly one of those things!

Most companies work hard to follow the rules and do what is necessary to protect our planet earth. However, there are some that occasionally become derelict in their responsibilities. Those companies need to feel the wrath. Then and only then will they take their responsibilities seriously.

Originally Posted by nntrixie

I don't understand - you will have to run that one past me again - getting old.

The companies that cause pollution are in the industrial and agricultural sectors. In our economy, all income that pays taxes generates from our production base which are these 2 sectors of our economy. All of it. They are where all the money comes from that generates tax revenues. All of them.

Originally Posted by Judy

The companies that cause pollution are in the industrial and agricultural sectors. In our economy, all income that pays taxes generates from our production base which are these 2 sectors of our economy. All of it. They are where all the money comes from that generates tax revenues. All of them.

Thank you, I'm going to have to mull that over some.

They could not make those things without workers, they couldn't sell those things without consumers.

I am not anti-business - but I'm not ready to give them a pass for bad and dangerous behavior either.

During one of the discussion on illegal immigration quite a few years ago, the idea that business couldn't exist without the illegals. My thoughts are, if you have to break the law to stay in business, you should not be in business.

There would be no workers or consumers without them. Because there would be no jobs to go to, no products to buy, and no money to buy anything with.

Sometimes I think people forget about that.