REPORT: Bush’s Backward Sprint To The Finish
REPORT: Bush’s Backward Sprint To The Finish
In its “sprint to the finish,” the Bush administration is working tirelessly to promulgate or alter a wide array of federal regulations that would weaken government rules protecting consumers, workers, and the environment.
As Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV), chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, told the Wall Street Journal, “This administration will stop at nothing to jam through as many reckless proposals as they can before the clock runs out.”
The Wonk Room and ThinkProgress are keeping a close eye on Bush’s Backward Sprint to the Finish, and have compiled a document to keep tabs on both the proposed and already enacted changes. Here are some examples:
Cutting back Medicaid: New rules “narrowed the scope of services that can be provided to poor people under Medicaid’s outpatient hospital benefit.”
Allowing mining near the Grand Canyon: A proposed rule by the Bureau of Land Management would prevent Congress from ordering emergency withdrawal of federal land from mining claims. The House Natural Resources Committee “issued such a withdrawal order in June for about 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon.”
Allowing more emissions from power plants:: The Environmental Protection Agency is “finalizing new air-quality rules that would make it easier to build coal-fired power plants, oil refineries and other major polluters near national parks and wilderness areas” by weakening the Clean Air Act.
Click here to download a pdf of the report.
Let us know in the comments if you come across any more last-minute regulatory changes during Bush’s final days in office.
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WORST. PRESIDENT. EVER.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:00 pmThe scary part is that Bush is trying to take advantage of a loophole that will make it tougher for Obama to rescind most of the damage that he’s causing.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:03 pmAbsolutly Zooey. I hope Gump enjoys his legacy of being the most despised American since Benedict Arnold. He earned it. The American people voted for a HUGE change from Bush policies so petulant child that he is he is trying to push through as many Bush disasters as possible in his last days
November 21st, 2008 at 5:04 pmI knew bush was an official jerk when I saw his smirking face on television back in 1999.
He hasn’t proved me wrong!
November 21st, 2008 at 5:04 pmThat’s cuz he’s a hateful bastard, raynman.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:04 pmIt pisses me off that the Chimp is wearing that Autism shirt. Donations probably went down after that picture.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:06 pmYou’re giving hateful bastard’s a bad name, Zooey.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:07 pmMost profound apologies to hateful bastards. My bad. :(
November 21st, 2008 at 5:08 pmI thought it said Austin…
November 21st, 2008 at 5:09 pmIf one did not know better, Bush is trying to assure his place as the worst POTUS of all time.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:12 pmHe’s not just the Worst President Ever™. He’s the Worst Possible President.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:15 pmRemember folks, Dubya is just the stooge with the big shiny ballpoint pen his masters gave him for his birthday.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:19 pmDubya has been the worst THING to ever happen to this great nation. It is impossible to believe that anyone else would hold the good of the nation in such low esteem. The man is worse than Saddam was.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:19 pmraynman Says:
The scary part is that Bush is trying to take advantage of a loophole that will make it tougher for Obama to rescind most of the damage that he’s causing.
All presidents do this in the last 3 months of office and all of them are hard to overturn. Maybe Obama can change the rules before Bush’s regulations – or rather, de-regulations – do too much damage.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:21 pmdbadass Says:
I thought it said Austin…
It does say “Austin Race for the Cure”; if you Google it, it appears it’s got something to do with Breast Cancer.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:21 pmI’m hoping that Obama will issue a series of Executive Decisions upon his inaugeration, stopping this B.S. in its tracks.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:22 pmRegarding one of the pictures, it says Autism, race for the cure. Donations probably did, indeed, go down, regrettably. Even more regrettable is that he’s doing what he Always does, Fcuking up. He’s a product of power and privelege, and somebody else has Always cleand up or covered up after him. Unfortunately We, the People are going to clean up, and Nobody can Possibly cover up all this mess. As so many others have so correctly said, Worst President Ever. His role, however, is to serve as a warning to others.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:22 pmImpeach, while There’s Still Time!!!!!
kasinca – not only this nation, but the whole, frickin world. This guy is a stupid, heartless freak, and I hope he has a miserable life, and dies in a gutter somewhere (and I hat the fact that I feel that way – never, never, never have felt like this about anyone).
November 21st, 2008 at 5:23 pmIt’s like Bush is the Detroit Lions and he wants to go 0 and 16, just so he’ll have some accomplishment to point to.
Only difference is, there are no top draft picks waiting for Bush at the end of the season.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:25 pmFortunately Obama seems to be moving quickly to get his people lined up to move in on day one. If he has his cabinet and subcabinet officials ready for confirmation immediately they can start the clock on undoing the rules that can be challenged and revoked and start the rulemaking process to reverse that which can’t be stopped. It will take some time to erase the stain of Chimpy’s slobber but a competent administrative team would be a nice start.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:25 pmI believe Hank Paulson & company let Lehman Brothers fall to save what little chance Republicans had of holding the White House. If Bush rescued the firm employing brother Jeb and cousin George Herbert Walker, there would have been political hell to pay.
They were stuck between a rock and a hard place and they chose the Bush/Republican brand over the good of the country. Paulson’s excuses for not saving Lehman don’t hold water.
Bush can’t leave fast enough for me.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:43 pmIt does say “Austin,” doesn’t it?
Thank goodness!
November 21st, 2008 at 5:48 pmPetulant piece of shit. Bush knows that he is despised by Americans and is doing everything he can in his last days to give us the finger. He hates us. He hates America. He will be powerless after January 20th to harm us so he is doing all he can as fast as he can.
And, believe it or not, there are still a few humanoids in North America who don’t depise this puke.
I do and always will. My kids’ lives will be that much harder because of this pathetic shit.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:51 pmDrop dead, Chimp.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:51 pmCementing his legacy as the worst president ever and how much he truly despises the American people and humanity in general.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:08 pm“Let us know in the comments if you come across any more last-minute regulatory changes during Bush’s final days in office.”
I can state unequivocally that he has increased three fold or more one regulatory function. Judging from the increased volume of bovine defaecatory material flowing from the Whore House and the increase in one particular pharmaceutical stock it is painfully obvious that Chicken George WTF has substituted EX-LAX for his M and M’s.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:14 pmWould it be possible for President Obama to issue a Signing Statement to some obscure bill that requires Momma Babs to undergo a retroactive abortion?
November 21st, 2008 at 6:17 pmonce can only hope he chokes on one of them big words they’ve been trying to teach him for 8 years…or a mavericky pretzel
November 21st, 2008 at 6:27 pmSo, Obama will just take the list and reverse them all.
Why does Bush feel it is necessary to further complicate the job that Obama has to do.
He will go down in history not only as the Worst President ever but also as the most Mean-Spirited President ever.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:38 pmraynman Says:
The scary part is that Bush is trying to take advantage of a loophole that will make it tougher for Obama to rescind most of the damage that he’s causing.
That was proven to be false. It turns out they screwed up. They thought that if they did this 60 days before November 20 they were home free. But, apparently Congress passed a law in recent years that made the cut-off date 6 months. So, he’s way outside that window.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:39 pmAs far as Bush installing his appointees into mgmt positions, here’s an easy solution. Just have them report to work in downtown Bagdad, not the Green zone for a “special assignment”. Provide them tranportation and tell them to pick up their checks in Bagdad. No security, no support. Give them T-shits with targets with Bush’d face on them. Problem solved.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:39 pmHere’s the information on how Obama can undo all these regulations:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15530.html
November 21st, 2008 at 6:42 pmAcross this great nation, on January 20th, millions will be having parties celebrating the departure of this ahole!
I will be attending one such party.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:57 pmGee! has there ever been any Prez so hateful of poor folks ??But that’s what ya get when you think very rich families are good for the office of Presidency.Just 2 days ago on another blog,I see some talking up Penny Pritizer(another super rich person) as good for the Governorship of AZ after Napolitano leaves office.And their Big reason ,you won’t believe it,she held a fundraiser for Obama.Mind you this same Pritzer person also held a fundraiser for Bush.Tells me one thing see ain’t care about any poor folks or middleclass peoples,she cares about her own rich ass but some can never see that far.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:58 pmjakedogman at #31
You have it right on! As one with over thirty years of job experience working with, as, for, against, under and over every level of Federal Civil Service from GS-1 to GS-15 I am well aware that the last item in any Position Desciption (PD)is that ass-covering caveat: “Other duties as assigned.”
November 21st, 2008 at 7:14 pmAs I recall, Reagan also held poor folks in some disdain, but he had the good sense to pretend otherwise. Dubya doesn’t even have that.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:16 pmwe have Nancy Pelosi to thank for this orgy or bush malfeasance.
Did anyone that knows anything about bush expect anything else would happen other than a spiteful flurry at the end to ruin as much as possible.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:18 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Here’s the information on how Obama can undo all these regulations:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15530.html
Thanks, Bilbo. Great information to know, and that these regulations could be upended either legislatively with a simple majority up or down vote OR through Executive action. Also that the Bush administration screwed up on the timing.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:27 pmWith any luck at all the POS will get drunk and roll his golf cart.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:06 pmWorst humans ever (and the term ‘human’ is used as loosely as possible):
Adolf Hitler
November 21st, 2008 at 8:33 pmJoseph Stalin
Pol Pot
George W. Bush
Dick Cheney
Idi Amin
What a vile little prick.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:24 pmI understand the sentiment, Mr. Evil, but I must disagree. Despite the damage they have caused, Chimp-n-Dick don’t belong on your list. And I would have to say that the others, with the possible exception of Idi Amin, don’t hold a candle to some of the more notorious butchers of the ancient world or even the Middle Ages.
Your list of modern monsters were able to, largely, use advanced technology and communications to remove themselves from the carnage while racking up huge numbers of deaths. I think that the term “most evil” should be reserved for those who rape, torture, and murder in person.
Don’t get me wrong. All of those listed deserve no defense and I offer none. However, one shouldn’t allow the numbers of victims to influence the score too much. I shudder to think what a Caligula, or Nero, or even Amin, would have done with WMD’s.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:24 pmIt is proof positive that:
1) He is a traitor to the country and deserves to be hung
2) All republiscums that supported him are traitors and deserve to be hung
3) All neoclowns are unfit to even think about governenance or governing since they feel that government is broken and is the problem (ala Ronnie Raygun) they show their true colors as the traitors to the Constitution. Fore in saying that we are unable to trust the government to govern, they are basically saying the Constittuion does not work, and by their thoughts cannot work. So they are tratiors.
4) All republikkkans should be hung for treason, because they are traitors (see above)
5) Conservatives can stayt, but the repuiblikkkans need to be hung.
6) In case I haven’t said it, the Republikkkans should all be hung, now I even include the ones who didn’t fully support precedent gump, fore they are supportive of the GOP itself which is a terroist organization and counter to the ideals and thoughts of this country, as proven by their disdain for the Constituition.
I am buying me some stock in rope companies. There is gonna be alotta hanging going on.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:44 pmThe 3 words I want Obama to say after “So help me God” is
“Arrest these men!”
November 21st, 2008 at 9:52 pmpete Says: #42
I didn’t really put them in any particular order with the exception of Hitler simply because he is the most recognized and most vilified turd in modern history. And yes, I did limit my choices to modern ‘leaders’ because if I didn’t I’d still be typing the list.
With Bush it isn’t necessarily the number of dead people he is responsible for but, also the destruction of our economy and the middle class. This was no accident. Its by design so that a select few have more power, control and money. How is it that the oil companies are swimming in money and virtually every segment of industry and finance is crumbling? And it is happening now all over the world. And just a tiny few are reaping the benefits of this injustice. The cronyism, the wanton disregard for the environment, the petulance, the lies, the disregard for our constitution and bill of rights, the torturing of detainees, the war based on lies in Iraq, the outing of a covert CIA agent and for just being the most undignified, disreputable person to ever hold the Office of President in the United States.
I guess in my own way I was trying to convey that Bush comes from a long list of sociopaths that wanted to ‘rule the world’ for whatever reason. History has proven that this aspiration is futile and that most every empire or entity that has attempted it themselves crumbled in ruin.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:55 pmSo, Alecto, tell us how you really feel about republicans. You know, the smegma filled scumbags that they are.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:57 pmMr. Evil,
November 21st, 2008 at 10:21 pmYou forgot Vlad the impaler!
And Pontius Pilate.
November 21st, 2008 at 10:31 pmMaybe if he’d been working harder to destroy America over the last two years, he wouldn’t have to play so much catch-up now.
Procrastinator…
November 21st, 2008 at 10:45 pmIt seems sad, ironic and discouraging that the very person elected to lead, protect and inspire the country to greatness, is doing his level best to tear it apart by whatever means possible. There is a song we used to sing: “When will we ever learn?”
November 21st, 2008 at 10:57 pmjust here – haven’t read, other than title copy…
with this in mind:
[...] In light of reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is preparing to enact a rule that would undermine critical health care services for women and families, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) today introduced legislation that would prevent the HHS rule from going into effect. [...]
WHY can’t the congress take care of ALL of these bullsh!t rules and regulations NOW…???
that story: http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/conservatives-just-cant-handle-truth
November 21st, 2008 at 10:58 pmhttp://www.madeyouthink.org/detail.php?photo_id=332
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:51 ampete Says:
I shudder to think what a Caligula, or Nero, or even Amin, would have done with WMD’s.
You never cease to astound, pete.
“If only you all had but one neck that I might chop through it”.
- Gaius Germanicus Caesar, aka “Little Boots” Caligula, in reference to the Populace of Rome.
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:55 amI’m surprised Bush looks so fit in the picture to the far right.
He must chase his own tail or run from his own fears and decisions on a daily basis.
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:19 amThis sick, evil and completely corrupt sleazebag is an embarrassment and insult to thinking, caring, rational human beings. He is totally devoid of a soul and nothing good can be gleaned from his thoughts, actions or existence on the planet Earth. May he darken the doorway to Hades forever. I despise the very idea of his creation.
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:28 amI think Hades is too good of a deity to put up with Bush for all eternity.
I say we put Dumbya in Purgatory along with the rest of the No Luck Here on Earth Club and just close it off, so they can all wonder their fates until the universe collapses in on itself and it starts anew.
By then I’m sure they’ll at least come to understand that gay marriage really wasn’t as bad as they made it all out to be.
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:42 amricchase Says:
Gee Ric tell us what you really think dont hold back
November 22nd, 2008 at 3:00 amWhat’s that big brown pile in the background of the first picture? A lurking turdblossom?
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 amcaption, far right (heh heh) photo:
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 am“I can’t remember where I left my mountain bike.”
Not sure if it’s part of the Grand Canyon giveaway, but CBS News has a “fire sale” story about Bush’s gift of mining & oil rights in national parks in Utah. Here’s the link to the CBS story, which is also up on http://www.RealityChex.com along with this Think Progress story: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/16/national/main4608048.shtml
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 amJust get out of the White House already!!!
http://www.sunstateactivist.org/ssablog/
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 amAccomplishing MORE before he even begins the job than the Chimp accomplished in 8 years”
Obama outlines job-creation plan
(CNN) — President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday offered an outline of his economic recovery plan and jobs were the top priority.
American workers will rebuild the nation’s roads and bridges, modernize its schools and create more sources of alternative energy, creating 2.5 million jobs by 2011, Obama said in the weekly Democratic address, posted on his Web site.
“These aren’t just steps to pull ourselves out of this immediate crisis,” he said. “These are the long-term investments in our economic future that have been ignored for far too long.”
LINK
And from darkness, we begin to emerge into the light.
November 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 amI hate George Bush and what he did to our country and what he’s currently doing on the way out! The Bush Fascists right down to the grandchildren….hate America. The End.
November 22nd, 2008 at 10:45 amYou just know Uncle KKKarl is still talking in his ear if he plans to enact all this bullsh*t before he leaves office. Congratulations, Chimpy. You’re THE worst president in the entire history of the United States of America, and future history texts will confirm it.
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 amObama outlines job-creation plan
(CNN) — President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday offered an outline of his economic recovery plan and jobs were the top priority.
American workers will rebuild the nation’s roads and bridges, modernize its schools and create more sources of alternative energy, creating 2.5 million jobs by 2011, Obama said in the weekly Democratic address, posted on his Web site.
“These aren’t just steps to pull ourselves out of this immediate crisis,” he said. “These are the long-term investments in our economic future that have been ignored for far too long.”
LINK
And from darkness, we begin to emerge into the light.
Thanks for posting that story, you just made my day!
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:58 amBarack Obama: “American workers will rebuild the nation’s roads and bridges, modernize its schools and create more sources of alternative energy, creating 2.5 million jobs by 2011, Obama said in the weekly Democratic address, posted on his Web site.”
I knew I liked this guy. America’s roads, bridges and infrastructure are crumbling and inefficient, and geared towards energy consumption as opposed to sustainability. Rebuilding will accommodate energy efficient transportation.
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:26 pmGenerations X and Y will have to get used to callouses on other parts of their hands than just the thumbs.
Talk about the loser war criminal idiot and his failures. But what about the people who allow him to remain in office? I would have never imagined the American people so numbed out, allowing this idiot to ruin everyrhing this nation stood for! Our constitution, our economy, how the world perceives us as a nation, our future, all squandered during the most horrendous eight (8) of Bush’s failed leadership.
The entire system is failing all over. Economic collapse is not just imminent but inevitable. Just read the news and find out that there’s many suggestions on how to avoid total economic meltdown, but no one mentions the trillions squandered on the never ending failed war. Then you have bridges collapsing, banks failing, people losing their jobs, and where is all the money going? Down the toilet, dumped into a failed criminal war, away from the middle class, and into the wallets of the have-mores who don’t really care as long as they can yet even more!
With all this said and done, the idiot is still in the White House with 1 month left to screw things up even more!
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 pmHere is a rundown of rules and regulations that the Bush administration is pushing through the rulemaking process in its waning days.
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:22 pmBarack Obama: “American workers will rebuild the nation’s roads and bridges, modernize its schools and create more sources of alternative energy, creating 2.5 million jobs by 2011, Obama said in the weekly Democratic address, posted on his Web site.”
We’re gonna need all those jobs and more when the Rightards kill off the Big Three to destroy the last big industrial union, the UAW. I heard a figure like 2.5 million jobs lost when that deal goes down…
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:25 pmIt sounds like scorch earth policy.
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:30 pmMr. Worst president in this country history go home NOW and do not wait until Jan.20 2009.
hey now!
November 22nd, 2008 at 3:44 pmBush is not as bad as you all are making him out to be. He has done the best possible job he could as president
I’m sure he has. Which is why he never should have been installed in the first place.
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:00 pmwicodemo Says:
hey now!
Bush is not as bad as you all are making him out to be. He has done the best possible job he could as president
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I will give him credit for doing one thing well, he sure has the GOP circling the drain
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:04 pmHere’s a new one from the NY Times:
November 29th, 2008 at 6:15 pmhttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/washington/30labor.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all
Bush is planning to issue “about 20 highly controversial rules” including one that will “make it harder for the government to regulate toxic substances & hazardous chemicals to which workers are exposed….”