Too many Government Regulations? Heck, you ain’t seen NOTHIN’ yet…!

Far, far too many Federal regulations are strangling our economy, yet there appears to be no end in sight.

What makes this burdensome, crushing over-regulation even worse, however, is the near-pathological lying about it by the current Administration.

The most recent (and possibly the most egregious) example of this is detailed below.

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It’s no secret that in the last 20 years, EVERY President has presided over an ever-increasing array of federal regulations.  Some are fairly innocuous, while others have a MAJOR impact on the economy, businesses, and ultimately, US, as citizens.

In early 2011, President Obama signed Executive Order 13563, ‘Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review‘, which basically directed the heads of Executive Agencies to “identify and consider regulatory approaches that reduce burdens”.  It was a cornerstone piece of his 2011 State of the Union address.

Over the year that followed, however, the administration enacted at least 32 new MAJOR regulations.  “Major” is defined as having a projected cost to the economy of at least $100 million dollars……EACH.

In March of 2012, The Heritage Foundation issued a report entitled “Red Tape Rising”.  The crux of the piece was as follows:

During the first three years of the Obama Administration, 106 new major federal regulations added more than $46 billion per year in new costs for Americans. This is almost four times the number—and more than five times the cost—of the major regulations issued by George W. Bush during his first three years.

Oh, yeah: More red tape will DEFINITELY improve my efficiency…

Hundreds more regulations are winding through the rule-making pipeline as a consequence of the Dodd–Frank financial-regulation law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s global warming crusade, threatening to further weaken an anemic economy and job creation. Congress must increase scrutiny of regulations—existing and new. Reforms should include requiring congressional approval of major rules and mandatory sunset clauses for major regulations.

I’d like to tell you about the additional “pending” regulations that are in the hopper since Heritage issued their report, but……….there’s a problem:

Back in 1980, Congress mandated a regulatory report from every government agency.  It was called the Regulatory Flexibility Act.  The Administration, under the Act, is required to issue a report every April and October, and indicate WHICH of the new, proposed rules are likely to have a significant economic impact.

Sound reasonable? Sure, except for two things:

1. The last one filed by President Obama was in October of 2011……and it contained almost 2,700 NEW regulations. 
2. Even better: The reports that were due in April 2012 and October 2012, have been (you guessed it) suspiciously absent.

Once again, the President’s disdain for the rule of law shows us yet again his 2008 promises of  government transparency were a crock. Remember this lil’ gem from then-candidate Obama?

“Let me say as simply as I can, transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency. I will also hold myself as president to a new standard of openness...”

These words: “transparency“, “openness“, & “rule of law“….;   I do not think they mean what you THINK they mean….

Again, from Heritage Foundation:

“It would be good news for both the economy and consumers if the rule-making delays are a result of more thorough cost analysis or consideration of regulatory alternatives. But there’s no indication that the Administration has embraced a newfound skepticism toward red tape. The evidence instead suggests that a multitude of major rules are simply awaiting release next year.

No one knows for certain, of course. But that very uncertainty is itself damaging to the economy. That is one important reason Congress requires the Administration to disclose its regulatory intentions in semi-annual agendas.

President Obama should follow that law.”

Lack of transparency.  Lack of compliance with the law.  The great unknown for businesses and citizens.

This is NOT an accident; this is deliberate.

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I would encourage you to also take a look at the COST of the regulations (at least the ones that we KNOW about).  The “Washington Examiner” ran the following headline this past September:

“$1.8 trillion shock: Obama regs cost 20-times estimate” 

Folks, let’s be honest…..SOME regulations are necessary for obvious reasons.  Unfortunately, far too many do little more than impede business growth, development, and hiring.  Some will literally have the power to cripple major industries (…think: COAL).

President Obama has encouraged businesses to violate the W.A.R.N. Act so that massive layoff notices wouldn’t go out 4 days prior to the election.  Now, his administration has neglected its legal duty to inform us about major pending regulations.

Does anyone really need a map drawn for them as to WHY these legally required disclosures have NOT been released?