We can’t afford the $2 trillion price tag of government regulations, says AMAC

WASHINGTON - Oct. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- The federal government takes its toll in taxes but there are insidious and intrusive hidden regulatory costs that eat into our household budgets to an extent that is equal to or greater than what we pay in taxes, according to Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens.

“Regulations are supposed to make things better and safer, but in recent years they have also been used to promote social policies such as green energy.  Why else would federal regulators create onerous rules, for example, that inhibit the use of the nation’s vast fossil fuel resources?”

The EPA would decimate the nation’s coal industry with restrictive carbon emission regulations despite the fact that technology exists to allow for the clean use of coal to generate electricity.

“Bear in mind that coal generates about 41 percent of our electricity and is our cheapest source of power.  Because American coal is so plentiful and inexpensive, it can be construed that it is a hindrance to the development of solar and wind power,” Weber pointed out.

He noted that rules governing such things as the operations of public transportation and financial markets, the sale of pharmaceuticals, workplace safety, drinking water, etc. have a practical role to play in our society.  But, he added, “when the government uses its regulatory authority to further social goals without so much as a debate on the issues and a Congressional vote, it is downright wrong-headed.  Not to mention the costs it imposes on American households.”

The Competitive Enterprise Institute estimated that in 2013 the cost of complying with federal regulations amounted to nearly $15,000 for the average U.S. household.  Many of the rules were, of course, necessary and beneficial, but the CEI pointed out that in recent years the government has been imposing as many 3,500 regulations per annum.

“It begs the question: are all those new rules really essential in the midst of an excruciatingly slow economic recovery?”

The Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress published a study noting that liberals favor government intervention that promotes social, non-economic objectives, while conservatives see government intervention as an intrusion that makes us less competitive.

“The issue of government regulatory authority run-amok is not a political issue.  It’s an American issue that requires bi-partisan attention because we simply can’t afford the nearly $2 trillion dollar price tag,” Weber concluded.

ABOUT AMAC
The Association of Mature American Citizens [http://www.amac.us] is a vibrant, vital and conservative alternative to those organizations, such as AARP, that dominate the choices for mature Americans who want a say in the future of the nation.  Where those other organizations may boast of their power to set the agendas for their memberships, AMAC takes its marching orders from its members.  We act and speak on their behalf, protecting their interests, and offering a conservative insight on how to best solve the problems they face today.  Live long and make a difference by joining us today at http://amac.us/join-amac.