Mining Reform? Not in This Administration

Were you shocked to learn that the Sago mine (where a dozen miners died last week) had been sited for over 200 health and safety violations in the last year alone? That of the 46 citations issued in the 3 months before the tragedy 18 citations were considered "serious and substantial?" or that 16 violations over the last 8 months were "unwarrantable failures?"

Of course not. Because you probably that mining companies are great and generous contributors to the "no regulations" Republicans.

From 1999-2005, coal companies gave $9 million to federal candidates (mostly republicans). In a remarkably predicatable move, the Bush administration cut funding for mine safety by $15 million.

Oh, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration? Who has the Bush administration placed on it? Well of course reps of the mining companies and their friends. The MSHA review commission, for instance, in 2002 was saddled with Stanley Suboleski. Stanley's creditials? Well he wasn't judging arabian horses, he has a long history in coal mining. He's a former official of Massey Energy, one of the largest coal companies in the US, and one that's been cited for many many violations.

And the head of the agency until last year? David Lauriski, who prior to heading up the Mine Safety & Health Admin., was a mining industry executive - he's left Bush's world though, to go work in the Peace Corps. Ah, almost caught you napping. Of course not! Lauriski went back to work in the mining world, this time as a consultant. Lauriski was replaced by Richard Stickler. And Stickler's background? Oh, if you haven't guessed by now, you haven't been paying attention. Of course he used to manage Beth Energy mines.