Change? Forget About It

A year ago yesterday, the Massey Energy owned Upper Big Branch coal mine caved in, killing 29 miners.

One might think this disaster would cause a change in how government agencies regulate coal mines, if not behavior by the evil coal companies.


Of course, you'd be wrong in thinking that.

In this climate, corporations are creating change, not responding to it. With regulatory agencies underfunded (and Obama has done little to alleviate this problem) and staffed by ex-industry people, regulation is as weak and demoralized as ever.

There could be another 29 dead miners tomorrow. It would get attention for a few weeks. And then things would go back to normal.

Rinse and repeat.