When Lobbyists Become Regulators

According to Anne Mulkern of CommonDreams.org, President Bush has installed more than 100 top officials who were once lobbyists, attorneys or spokespeople for the industries they oversee. These include regulators in the FDA, Interior, Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, USDA and EPA. In spite of the serious problems with manufacturers of everything from toys to drugs, Presidednt Bush nominated Michael Baroody, executive vice president at the National Association of Manufacdturers, to head up the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission. Amid strong opposition, he withdrew his name. Has our Congress and administration become too cozy with the very organizations that government is meant to regulate? For more see:

Anne Mulkern and Source Watch and Washington Monthly