I haven't seen this mentioned yet, but the
fire outside Raleigh of tons of toxic waste that has caused the evacuations of thousands of people could be showing another example of deep pocketed corporate donors paying a Republican Congress to overlook safety concerns and lower environmental standards to dangerous levels.
Environmental Quality Company sounds like an earth friendly outfit in title only. Privately owned by Michael Ferrantino, a frequently cited supply-side economist (e.g. "International Trade, Environmental Quality and Public Policy," The World Economy, Vol. 20, No. 1 (January 1997)), EQ has consistently lobbied congress to lower environmental standards and Ferrantino himself
has donated heavily to Republican causes in his home state of Michigan and throughout the country via the RNC and various PAC's for a Republican majority.
Despite being warned and fined repeatedly and told to clean up, EQ had made no real effort to do so at the Apex site, and now unless we bring attention to this by caling your congressman and asking for an investigation, we shouldn't be surprised when the EPA conveniently looks away from the fire, protecting another GOP donor from the justice that's certainly deserved. It's another instance where we can ask "Why wasn't more done to prevent this?" and the toxic stink that's coming from this seems to be emanating as much from Washington as it is from Apex.
Don't let this be swept under the rug until a thorough investigation takes place as to why more wasn't done to make sure EQ conformed to state and federal regulations for the storage and disposal of toxic chemicals. If you live in Michigan or North Carolina, support candidates who are willing to stand up to corporate interests rather than taking money and looking the other way.