# Trump is an even bigger disaster than we thought **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 8, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209 "2016-12-08T15:16:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/21 "2016-12-08T17:57:45Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > I’m reminded of the thoughts of the physicist Brian Cox in [an interview a few months ago](http://www.iflscience.com/space/brian-cox-explains-why-we-havent-seen-aliens-yet-and-it-isnt-pretty) regarding the Fermi paradox and why we haven’t detected any evidence of extraterrestrial civilizations: Yeah, but that explanation would need to be updated. It’s not that we don’t have the political expertise. It’s that the people (in the states that mattered) preferred the political moron. I literally know people who said that it’s okay to elect Trump because God won’t let the worst stuff happen. As long as they follow their pro-life God, everything will be okay. I say said people worship Pro-Life instead of God. As I continue to point out, the Bible never addresses abortion. It does say that the other stuff Trump supports is wrong, though. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/22 "2016-12-08T18:17:03Z")
Those who don’t remember history are condemned to repeat it. Or so I’ve heard. [This 60’s classic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCojBngA--s) song may remind folks who long for the good old days what treasures and pleasures we have left behind. Make America great again. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/23 "2016-12-08T18:26:02Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > So the fact that he might be knowledgeable about the shenanigans of the oil companies isn’t at all relevant? I’m assuming that you’re joking here, but just in case… WHAT THE FUCK? Bank robbers are knowledgeable about bank security, but you don’t put them in charge of your deposits. ---
**Author:** ![Frankenstein\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@Frankenstein\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankenstein_Monster)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/24 "2016-12-08T18:38:35Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Oooh, good point. Nobody will force companies to pollute. Companies will pollute only if it’s cheaper for them to pollute. > > Care to give us any realistic scenarios where it isn’t, if there is no enforcement of environmental regulations? Companies, agencies and governments: [Google to be powered 100% by renewable energy from 2017](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/06/google-powered-100-renewable-energy-2017) and it’s cheaper and better for business, too. [83 RE100 companies have made a commitment to go ‘100% renewable’. Read about the actions they are taking and why.](http://there100.org/companies) [Tennessee Valley Authority to close 8 coal-fired power units](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/tennessee-valley-authority-to-close-8-coal-fired-power-plants/2013/11/14/be1e4f1e-4d60-11e3-9890-a1e0997fb0c0_story.html) The decision was prompted by a combination of environmental requirements, **the age of the plants, competition from natural gas and declining electricity consumption in the TVA’s service area.** Which ones of those is the EPA going to stop enforcing? [Major oil company Shell agrees,](http://www.shell.com/energy-and-innovation/the-energy-future.html) … “produce more and cleaner energy to power our homes and fuel our vehicles in coming decades **while reducing CO2 emissions that cause climate change?** ” [Saudi Arabia working on plan to boost climate target](http://www.climatechangenews.com/2016/11/14/saudi-arabia-working-on-plan-to-boost-climate-target/) With President-elect Donald Trump threatening to axe the Paris climate agreement, many assumed the Saudis could follow suit, **but a representative insisted they will toughen carbon cuts.** ---
**Author:** ![Frankenstein\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@Frankenstein\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankenstein_Monster)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/25 "2016-12-08T18:47:43Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Not hard at all. You only need to look at **what it was like before** environmental regulations were enacted. Amazingly enough, large corporations **didn’t** seem to care how much they polluted. Air **was** unsafe to breathe in many areas, toxic chemicals **were** dumped anywhere it was convenient, and rivers **caught** on fire. Yes, that was then. (I’m just about old enough to have seen with my own eyes.) But this is now. We are not going back to those times. Note: I am not a Trump nor a Pruitt supporter! I support tough environmental regulation. It’s the hysterical doomsaying that I don’t agree with. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/26 "2016-12-08T18:50:42Z")
> [@Evan\_Drake](#): > > Still better than Hillary. I can see you in the near future cooking rats over a burning oil can fire, and saying “well, at least we don’t have lying Hillary in charge.” ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/27 "2016-12-08T18:52:25Z")
> [@Frankenstein\_Monster](#): > > Fortunately, lack of EPA enforcement of pollution regulation is not the same as forcing people to pollute. > > . Seriously? If a company can make a little more profit by polluting a public resource for free, then that is exactly what they’ll do. In fact, they will be mandated to do it by the shareholders. Making profit is WHAT THEY DO. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/28 "2016-12-08T18:55:42Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > So the fact that he might be knowledgeable about the shenanigans of the oil companies isn’t at all relevant? [Trump picks El Chapo to run the DEA.](http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/trump-picks-el-chapo-to-run-d-e-a) Good move! He’s one of the most knowledgeable people about the shenanigans of the drug cartels! **Quartz** , this was a moronic post even for you. ---
**Author:** ![Neo-Calredic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/96bed5/32.png) [@Neo-Calredic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neo-Calredic)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/29 "2016-12-08T18:58:08Z")
> [@Frankenstein\_Monster](#): > > Fortunately, lack of EPA enforcement of pollution regulation is not the same as forcing people to pollute. > > Or do you think the EPA is going to outlaw Tesla cars for being too clean?? Mandating “rollin’ coal” installations on all new cars and directing people to using them every 5 minutes? > > Hard to tell where these exaggerated doom and gloom predictions come from sometimes. Would you be OK with making murder and theft legal then? It’s not _forcing_ people to kill or steal, after all. Nothing to worry about! ---
**Author:** ![Frankenstein\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@Frankenstein\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankenstein_Monster)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/30 "2016-12-08T19:01:37Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Seriously? > > If a company can make a little more profit by polluting a public resource for free, then that is exactly what they’ll do. In fact, they will be mandated to do it by the shareholders. Making profit is WHAT THEY DO. Seriously. I don’t believe it. Not for a second. They won’t pollute a public resource for free (at least in the U.S.) and their shareholders will not ask them to. The shareholders will not **let** them. It would be a **disaster for their business and profits**. [Kimberly-Clark policies](http://www.kimberly-clark.com/sustainability1/reporting/policies.aspx) (Environmental policy PDF links halfway down the page) [Greenpeace and tissue giant Kimberly-Clark: from enemies to allies](https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/sep/08/greenpeace-kimberly-clark-kleenex-tissue-paper-canada-forests-ngo-corporate-collaboration) Serious question: is the Trump administration going to revoke the CARB waiver? Actually tell CARB states to knock it off with their environmental regulations? Would they? I agree **that** would be a potentially significant, bad development (but sounds extremely unlikely). [CARB Air Quality and Emissions page](https://www.arb.ca.gov/html/ds.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Frankenstein\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@Frankenstein\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankenstein_Monster)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/31 "2016-12-08T19:04:37Z")
> [@Neo-Calredic](#): > > Would you be OK with making murder and theft legal then? It’s not _forcing_ people to kill or steal, after all. Nothing to worry about! Of course not. Neither am I “OK” with gutting the EPA. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/32 "2016-12-08T19:21:10Z")
His latest appointment; the Secretary of Labor will be the current CEO of the company that owns Hardees and Carl’s Jr. He’s not a fan of expanding overtime pay eligibility or increases in the minimum wage. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/33 "2016-12-08T19:48:42Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Oooh, good point. Nobody will force companies to pollute. Companies will pollute only if it’s cheaper for them to pollute. > > Care to give us any realistic scenarios where it isn’t, if there is no enforcement of environmental regulations? > > Not hard at all. You only need to look at what it was like before environmental regulations were enacted. Amazingly enough, large corporations didn’t seem to care how much they polluted. Air was unsafe to breathe in many areas, toxic chemicals were dumped anywhere it was convenient, and rivers caught on fire. > > Let’s hope you don’t live downwind of a coal plant after Pruitt takes over the EPA. No enforcement? So Trump is in favor of sanctuary agencies? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/34 "2016-12-08T19:49:39Z")
> [@Frankenstein\_Monster](#): > > Seriously. I don’t believe it. Not for a second. > > … I’m going to go out on a limb here, and guess that you’ve never worked in a factory. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/35 "2016-12-08T20:02:46Z")
… proving once again how everyone continues to underestimate him. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/36 "2016-12-08T20:05:39Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > His latest appointment; the Secretary of Labor will be the current CEO of the company that owns Hardees and Carl’s Jr. He’s not a fan of expanding overtime pay eligibility or increases in the minimum wage. Given Trump’s love of fast food, this appointment is yet another clear example of direct conflict with Trump’s self-interests and his role as POTUS. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/37 "2016-12-08T20:07:20Z")
> [@Frankenstein\_Monster](#): > > Seriously. I don’t believe it. Not for a second.] Believe it. It costs money to put scrubbers in to control emissions from power plants. The only reason they exist is because of regulations. In the absence of regulation (or enforcement), then company A with scrubbers will make less money that company B. Company A will go bankrupt. > [@Frankenstein\_Monster](#): > > They won’t pollute a public resource for free (at least in the U.S.) and their shareholders will not ask them to. The shareholders will not **let** them. It would be a **disaster for their business and profits**. Yes, they will pollute, if this will save them money. And no, it will not be a disaster, because either A) the public with not be told about the pollution (regulations concerning measurement or disclosure will also go away). Ignorance is bliss. B) The shareholders and public will be told that it’s only the hippie leftist Hillary lovers who want these job-killing regulations. And they will accept this. C) The public will be told that there is no pollution, and they should not believe what scientists say - opinions are just as good as the facts. You are naïve. Trump wants to return to “Make America Great”, which is simply “Let Business do whatever they want.” And what business wants is to make more money for fewer people at the top. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/38 "2016-12-08T20:13:43Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > His latest appointment; the Secretary of Labor will be the current CEO of the company that owns Hardees and Carl’s Jr. He’s not a fan of expanding overtime pay eligibility or increases in the minimum wage. Donald Trump: our Fast Food President. [sub]brought to you by Carl’s Jr.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/39 "2016-12-08T20:19:36Z")
Can Carl’s Trump combo be far behind? Ad - A burger so 'yuge, your hand will look positively tiny. Come in to Carl’s Jr and grab one by the pussy! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209/40 "2016-12-08T20:53:10Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Can Carl’s Trump combo be far behind? > > Ad - > > A burger so 'yuge, your hand will look positively tiny. > Come in to Carl’s Jr and grab one by the pussy! Or else a burger so tiny, it will make your hand look yuuuge (plus, they can make more profit on a tiny burger). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-an-even-bigger-disaster-than-we-thought/774209.md?page=3)