Why We Need Strong Regulations

Regulations Removed

2784

and counting...

Environmental Impact

0.00%

increased pollution levels

The systematic dismantling of regulatory frameworks has been sold as "cutting red tape" and "promoting business growth." In reality, these rollbacks primarily benefit large corporations while shifting costs—and risks—to the public and future generations.

Boeing/FAA Case Study: When Regulators Get Captured

The Boeing 737 MAX crisis demonstrates the deadly consequences of regulatory capture. When the FAA allowed Boeing to essentially self-certify its aircraft:

346 people died in two preventable crashes
Boeing prioritized profit and speed over safety
Whistleblowers were ignored and retaliated against
Door plug blowouts and other quality issues emerged years later

This wasn't a failure of regulation—it was a failure to properly enforce regulations due to corporate capture of the regulatory agency.

Key Regulatory Rollbacks:

Environmental Protections:
- Weakened Clean Water Act enforcement, allowing industrial discharge into previously protected waterways
- Reduced emissions standards for power plants and vehicles
- Opened protected lands to resource extraction
Financial Oversight:
- Gutted consumer financial protection rules
- Reduced bank capital requirements and stress testing
- Eliminated transparency requirements for financial institutions
Worker Protections:
- Weakened workplace safety standards
- Reduced overtime eligibility
- Limited collective bargaining rights
Healthcare:
- Removed protections for pre-existing conditions
- Allowed sale of substandard insurance plans
- Reduced hospital safety requirements

The cost of regulatory rollbacks is measured not just in dollars, but in human lives, environmental degradation, and increased inequality. While corporations report record profits, the public bears the externalized costs of deregulation through increased healthcare expenses, environmental cleanup, reduced quality of life, and preventable tragedies.

Regulations Save Lives and Money

Effective regulations:

Prevent corporations from externalizing costs to the public
Ensure a level playing field for businesses
Protect consumers from unsafe products and predatory practices
Safeguard workers from dangerous conditions
Preserve our environment for future generations
Prevent financial crises that devastate ordinary Americans

"The notion that regulations are just red tape ignores their purpose: to protect us from corporate greed and negligence when profit motives conflict with public safety."