Do Executive Departments and Agencies have the experience required when initiating rules and regulations?
There are many rules and regulations that each of the Executive Departments and agencies initiate almost daily and they do not necessarily get the coverage they deserve except when the media decides to cover it. This usually happens if it is a major change or impact to individuals or businesses. There are many topics for which the government is currently imposing their rules and regulations but do the Executive Departments or agencies have the experience or expertise behind these actions? In addition the question to be asked if these rules or regulations are in line with the laws they have been assigned to administer and are these laws within the authority granted under the Constitution.
Policy seems to dictate what rules and regulations get created but policy must match the authority granted under the Constitution. It is sad to say that in many cases it appears they do not. In addition some of these actions are not based on accurate information the information on which many are based ignores evidence which contradicts the conclusions being made.
The economic situation in our country requires that actions be taken to improve the business environment not create rules and regulations that will hurt or even put some out of business. The latest is a proposal to impose environmental guidelines that will drastically impact the coal industry. This industry provides a large supply of resources to produce electricity not to mention the number of jobs this industry provides. I agree we need to institute environmental protection initiatives but the impact of the new rules will cost billions of dollars specifically to the coal industry. The impact to our environment would be a change of around 0001%
The EPA and their actions are killing our society and Congress needs to step up to the plate against this agency and others who are creating rules and regulations based on policy not the laws or the Constitution. I understand that there are many issues facing our country and many laws to address them. Taking steps to address some of the issues is a good thing but it appears that Executive Departments and agencies are initiating actions based on the sometimes vague requirements engrained in the laws passed by Congress. In some respects Congress has created the current situation and must take action to change the language of current laws and future ones to clearly identify the responsibilities of departments and agencies which cannot be interpreted.
Executive Departments and agencies play a critical part in enforcing the laws passed by Congress and signed by the President. The problem is the rampant nature of their actions which increase government control. This appears to be done without the apparent expertise to evaluate the benefits against the negatives of any actions they initiate. Even if they have the expertise in some cases many are not in the best interest of the country. This is not to say that some departments and agencies do not provide some benefit for I believe some do.
Congress has the responsibility to monitor actions of the Executive Branch and their departments and agencies and in this responsibility and in this Congress is not living up to this responsibility. The size of government has become too large and the number of rules and regulations has become too voluminous. This needs to change for Congress needs to reign in the actions of the Departments and agencies in line with the laws generated and the Constitution. If there are conflicts between the a law or laws the Constitution should be deciding factor in any dispute.
