President Obama’s “Year of Action” cost every American an extra $567.
With the ink finally drying on more than 79,000 pages of regulation in 2014, many Americans might wonder what President Obama’s “pen and phone” will cost them. The answer is $567 for every person living in the United States. In 2014, the government somehow managed to publish $726 million in regulatory costs every day it was open, a pace that generated more than $181 billion in total burdens.
The main culprit for these incredible burdens is a usual suspect for those following the regulatory state: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency published arguably two of the most contentious rulemakings of the year: greenhouse-gas standards for existing power plants and new ozone (smog) standards. The greenhouse-gas standards promise to increase national average electricity prices between 5.9 and 6.5 percent by 2020, and that’s according to EPA’s math. Considering two previous EPA rules that will also drive up electricity prices (Utility MACT and CSAPR), consumers could face a 10 percent electricity price hike thanks to EPA.
DOE’s regulatory agenda will also go after Americans’ paychecks. Every one of its energy efficiency regulations will increase the purchase price of various consumer goods. Its rule for residential dishwashers will add almost $100 to the cost of a standard unit, not to mention the $413 million in annual burdens. Americans interested in purchasing a new air conditioner or heat pump will be greeted with price increases of $17 to $23. Although under the radar, DOE’s regulatory actions pack just as much of a punch on manufacturers and consumers as any other agency.
For those worried about food prices, don’t worry. Regulators have you covered there as well. Late in 2014, regulators at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented new calorie labeling requirements for vending machines and virtually every establishment that serves food. One of the last main planks of Obamacare, these $1.6 billion rules are guaranteed to raise prices.
This is bad. Very bad.
The Russians informed the Americans that they were refusing any more US help protecting their largest stockpiles of weapons-grade uranium and plutonium from being stolen or sold on the black market. The declaration effectively ended one of the most successful areas of cooperation between the former Cold War adversaries.
We should probably just do away with classes and simply assign grades based on gender, race, sexual orientation, etc.
No way, man. You’re telling me the government sucks at running stuff and “free” stuff isn’t actually free??
As is often the case, this person is “poor” because of her own bad life decisions, like not saving any money and buying a new car she clearly couldn’t afford.
Lol. The “I’m so oppressed” stories just get more and more pathetic.
Let this man in, FFS. God DHS is worthless.
LOL So believable! Breaking: Terrorist engages in Middle Eastern conspiracy theories about Western women and sex.
Wonderful
Good god, this law needs to be killed with fire. WTF Pennsylvania?
Lol. The market asserts itself, even in Socialist Utopia Hellhole Venezuela! Standing in line now a profession.
This is a genius idea and I hope this person becomes a millionaire. But progressives and their union friends will do everything they can to stop him.
Oh for fuck’s sake, America.
This is SO FUCKING DUMB. The idiocy of big government, micromanaging progressives perfectly encapsulated in one short article.
Obama’s atrocious foreign policy lies in his SOTU were too much for even NBC, which usually can’t get its peacock-feathered head out of the President’s lap. Speaking of the SOTU, it drew the smallest audience since 2000. There’s hope for you yet, America!
The collusion between our government and insane environmentalists to put people out of business is disgusting and unacceptable.
All the tears.
Obstructionists!
Dear Republicans,
If you get rid of this bitch, I will go one whole week without swearing at you.
Love, Me