While We're Busy Watching Trump's Freak Show.....

[Laxman]

there is some real damage being done behind the scenes. The keys to the hen house have been turned over to the fox (or more accurately the weasels). This comes under the category of "What Could Possibly Go Wrong?". Secret teams filled with industry representatives dismantling the regulations that govern them. The entertainment portion of the Trump Administration distracts us from the real evil that they are perpetrating. Why I'm sure we'll find that glyphosphate in your drinking water is really beneficial. The airlines don't need any rules about how to treat passengers. Oil drilling leases for public lands should be free on a first-come-first-served basis as long as you contributed to the republican party. I'm sure there are literally hundreds of ways deregulation will make our lives better. I can hardly wait.

Secrecy and Suspicion Surround Trump’s Deregulation Teams

When President Trump ordered federal agencies to form teams to dismantle government regulations, the Transportation Department turned to people with deep industry ties.

One appointee had previously lobbied the department on behalf of American Airlines. Another held executive roles for several electric and hybrid car companies regulated by the department. A third was a lawyer who represented United Airlines in regulatory matters.

The three appointees have been identified by ProPublica and The New York Times in a continuing effort to track members of the deregulation teams. The appointments, previously unreported, follow a pattern identified by the two news organizations: By and large, the Trump administration has stacked the teams with political appointees, some of whom may be reviewing rules their former employers sought to weaken or kill.

A full vetting of industry connections has been difficult because some agencies have declined to provide information about the appointees — not even their names.

Read the rest here: https://www.propublica.org/article/secrecy-and-suspicion-surround-trumps-deregulation-teams

[malaise]

1. Off to the greatest page

Very important reminder

[Heartstrings]

2. It's the "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain" syndrome.

And it's killing each and everyone of us....a slow, very painful death.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. His freak show has turned into a freak-out show.

[groundloop]

4. You're absolutely correct, I've been saying the same thing from day one

While I doubt that 45* is intelligent enough to do much, he's allowing right wingers who actually know what's going on to gut our environmental protection, workplace regulations, health and safety, etc. It will take many many years to undo what's being done.

[Gabi Hayes]

6. "Idiot with a pen"

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Also, behind the scenes, they are rushing to appoint conservative judges. . . . nt

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

7. Yeah, while we're sreaming at the T.V. over Boy Scout speeches.

On one hand he seems so incompetent. On the other hand, what a great tactic. Bannon keeps his head down and just does the bidding of the Mercer family. We'll turn around in four years and find that we're screwed for a generation.

[Mountain Mule]

8. Hear no evil, see no evil

This is what our government has devolved to.

[byronius]

9. So so true. And perhaps why there's so much foot-dragging by supposedly anti-Trump conservatives.

[Laxman]

10. Let Me Add A Hopeful Admonition....

that as grim as it may sometimes appear.....it's not out of our hands.