LEAVE SAFETY TO THE "MARKET"?

Once again, pardon the irregular posts (and the absence of the usual gratuitous animal picture). That's life on the road.

As is the case with many interested people all over the world, I'm finding it hard not to think about the trapped miners in Utah and about the larger issues of worker safety.

Recently in El Cabrero's beloved state of West Virginia, there's been a lot of talk about "unleashing capitalism." Two things that some people are calling for are reducing regulation of industries like mining and so-called "tort reform."

Here's the reality. Workers in dangerous occupations like mining depend for their very lives on vigorous enforcement and improvement of safety regulations. And when that fails, the only recourse for injured workers and their families--or for survivors if fatalities are involved--is legal action against negligent companies.

Take away both and you have the perfect recipe for death on the job.

GOAT ROPE ADVISORY LEVEL: ELEVATED