Page 5 - CodeWatcher Spring 2017 Issue

Code Warrior Ron Jones, Code Warrior

ron@thegreenbuilder.com
@CodeWarriorRon on Twitter

The Revenge of the Dinosaurs

Make no mistake, the all-out assault on virtually every form of regulation and government oversight

by the current Administration and its lackeys in recent weeks is part of a larger ideological war that
is being waged—a war on being forced to take responsibility and be subjected to accountability.
EING HELD RESPONSIBLE and account- academics, not to mention a whole set of bureaucrats and
able for waste, pollution, environmental high-profile politicians (do I really need to name anyone in
degradation, social exploitation, and un- particular?) is an image that has been impossible for many to
ethical business practices gets in the way stomach and now we are seeing evidence that, indeed, every
of generating maximum profits, but there dog has his day.
is even more to it. For those whose mantra As usual, the natural environment is the first casualty of
Bhas become the endless condemnation of this conflict, considered by the forces opposed to regulation
“onerous” regulations and the call for the demise of “gov- as either irrelevant or necessary collateral damage.
ernment overreach,” the fundamental, gut-level resentment Unfortunately, that damage will not be undone by some
of “being told what to do” has been festering for a long, long future stroke of the pen when the pendulum swings back
time, just itching for a chance to boil to the surface and erupt. the other way, as it inevitably will. Some of it may never be
Multiple times each week we witness the staged celebrations repaired.
of the representatives of one industry or business group after The design, construction and development industry is
another as they toady for “team” photos and souvenir pens not an exception. Now that the pendulum has swung in
at some contrived, made-for-the-media signing spectacle their direction, anti-regulation groups are emboldened and
in the Oval Office. Afterwards they seek out every available encouraged. Even though building codes and many types of
microphone and camera in their attempts to draw attention regulations are adopted and enforced at the jurisdictional
to and extend their particular moment in the sun, then rush to level don’t assume that there are not ambitious efforts to
launch press releases intended to impress their constituents in undo existing requirements and thwart any and all attempts
order to hold on to their illusion of influence and importance. to mandate performance standards wherever they exist and
For the moment, at least, it’s as if we are screening the are being proposed.
real-life version of Jurassic Park, as ravenous predators are Those organizations and individuals whose common
unleashed to feast on the buffet of easy pickings being served goal, and clearly stated mission, is to maximize the profit-
up by Executive Order while smug foxes are assigned to guard generating opportunities of members of the industry
the proverbial hen house. You can almost hear the band deliberately ignore, and in many cases conveniently deny,
playing “Happy Days Are Here Again” in the background. the long-term consequences of deconstructing the regulatory
But let’s not dance around the obvious. In the actions platforms that are intended to provide protection for our
being taken by this Administration there is an element of land, water and air, and for the future generations who will
revenge, of deep resentment, what may in fact be accurately depend on them for their quality of life, even life itself.
described as a visceral expression of hatred, for the previous All the while they perpetuate the myth that they safeguard
Administration, a quite personal vendetta that coincidentally the interests of the consumer and advance the notion that
salves the wounds endured by all those who despise rules rules and regulations are created to harm the provider and
and regulations. the customer alike, to kill jobs, to disrupt the economy and
One a certain level, what we are experiencing is simple serve only the special interests who support them. It is a
payback. For too long and in too many instances, some of bait and switch that they have nearly perfected.
those who sought to impose regulations and controls on Those of us who are committed to the development,
business and industry, and protect the interests of the little adoption and enforcement of codes, standards, and
guy, have openly gloated over their victories, happy to rub it regulations intended to serve the interests of the public will
in whenever the opportunity presented itself. need to double down on our efforts and weather the storm for
The same self-righteous, condescending, patronizing, as long as it lasts and perhaps learn the unfortunate lesson
holier-than-thou expression that became the trademark of that the dinosaurs may be extinct but their DNA survives
too many environmentalists, social justice advocates and and must be vigilantly monitored. CW

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