Regulation is Not a Bad Word | 29 comments (29 topical, 0 hidden)
But what good is regulation without enforcement? (none / 0)

Lots of current corporate bad behavior is covered by current regulation, but they forge ahead anyway since they know the admin won't enforce the regs. I'm all for regulation, but what I'm all-in for is enforcement! If you're serious on enforcement you could get by with lighter regulation. Theodore Roosevelt said "Walk softly and carry a big stick".

Sounds similar also to regulation of the government itself. We have regulations in place (constitution) that the fat cats  are ignoring (Bush/Cheney) since they know those supposed to enforce it (congress) won't and thus there won't be any punishment (impeached).

But wait a sec, did I hear that Nanci Pelosi grew a set of "nuts" (nuts, nuts, nuts...take that Jesse) this week and might turn Conyers loose? Got my fingers crossed and praying into my bowl of noodly god-ness.

by rolodex on 07/16/2008 01:39:55 AM EST

One error (none / 0)

Congress does not enforce regulations.  They don't really enforce anything (with very few exceptions).

Here is a simple guide:

Legislative Branch- Make Laws

Executive Branch- Enforce Laws (which includes regulations)

Judicial Branch- Interpret Laws

Congress may suck right now but let's not blame them for not doing a job they have no authority to do.

by ProfRich on 07/16/2008 02:13:33 AM EST

[ Parent ]
one error except... (none / 0)

In the situation alluded to, the one way congress has enforcement ability, is through the power of impeachment.

That is how they ensure that the President follows the constitution and enforces the laws that congress passes.

The people have enforcement power through the vote, the congress through impeachment.

Remember that the impeachment powers also extend over the judiciary, where the people usually don't have the power of the vote.

It can not be over stated the importance of the power of impeachment.

Not to get sidetracked from the original topic of regulation too much, I just wanted to point out the importance of enforcement to successful regulation, and the parallel of constitutional enforcement to successful government. If you don't maintain enforcement all the way to the top, be it Ken Lay or George Bush, then all the regulations (or constitutional provisions) in the world won't help you.

by rolodex on 07/16/2008 12:48:43 PM EST

[ Parent ]
so true (none / 0)
on the enforcement

it's beyond any reason how Bushco has made a ton of agencies NOT enforce the things they're supposed to enforce

by callisto on 07/16/2008 04:33:53 AM EST

[ Parent ]
True (none / 0)
What they've done is simply but their little bitches in charge of the regulatory agencies.  Look at how the supreme court had to issue a ruling recently telling EPA that they have an obligation to enforce air quality standards.  I mean, Goddamn, does it get any more obvious than that?

by bfaul on 07/16/2008 10:52:44 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Regulation is Not a Bad Word | 29 comments (29 topical, 0 hidden)