Bush suspends prevailing wage rule; more profits for Halliburton

[Carla in Ca]

Bush continues to act outrageously and opportunistically to advance his ideological and political agenda and enrich his political allies in this time of national crisis. He has suspended rules for pollution control, tried to use the crisis to enhance fears about social security, hire Halliburton, etc...now he suspends the "prevailing wage" rule in the areas that need decent jobs:

President Bush issued an executive order Thursday allowing federal contractors rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to pay below the prevailing wage.

In a notice to Congress, Bush said the hurricane had caused "a national emergency" that permits him to take such action under the 1931 Davis-Bacon Act in ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.


"President Bush should immediately realize the colossal mistake he has made in signing this order and rescind it and ensure that America puts its people back to work in the wake of Katrina at wages that will get them and their families back on their feet," Miller said.

"I regret the president's decision," said Kennedy.


continued
<http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/8/22374/66753>

[magellan]

1. Isn't it amazing how fast this administration can act

...on the most obscure issue when its corporate friends are concerned?

Too bad no one in LA or MS thought to stamp their foreheads with "Property of Halliburton" before Katrina hit. Bet they would have seen a real fast federal response then.

[Carla in Ca]

2. The article states that a person

with a family working a 40-hour week will be at or below the poverty line. Profit, profit, profit. When is this going to stop!

[Lindsay]

3. It will stop when we get the crooks out of office.

Impeach. Indict. Imprison.

[Solly Mack]

4. you just know they've been waiting for the chance to do this

just lurking in the wings...waiting

[shraby]

5. Hmmm...and people were wondering

where Dick Cheney has been since the hurricane hit.

[NYC]

6. He has no time to get water to the dying, but time to reduce wages.

Figures. I hope this can be stopped.

[deacon]

7. This is just so absolutely disgusting...so glad i am not a "compassionate"

conservative.....ugh

[enough]

8. kick

[Hubert Flottz]

9. The repigs have wanted to do this for YEARS...

Bush really is a fascist PIG! He's using his political capital he gained by helping to kill all those people.

[lisby]

10. Citizens as prey

to the plebes.

Yesterday I read a quote in an article from a diplomat who said our government now reminded him of many in Africa--"governments that prey on their own people."

That's a perfect, perfect description of this administration.

:puke:


Lisby

[FreeStateDemocrat]

11. Windfall profits will not be suspended. Profiting off the misery of

others is a basic re-puke family value.

[gollygee]

12. Only rich people will make money off this tragedy

Working people who will likely lose work time due to the hurricane won't be able to make any extra when they're able to get back to work.

[atommom]

13. Gee, no, we can't expect those poor contractors to accept

a lower rate of profit than they'd like. What an outrage.