go ahead -- mess with Texas!

Since Texas has been doing such a bang-up job regulating their industrial pollution (NOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "may take over the entire job of regulating air quality" there. [NPR]

It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that Governor Rick "Goodhair" Perry thinks that the EPA is going too far and wants President Obama to "rein in the EPA".

Good gracious Nelly! And after G.W. Bush quashed most good-faith efforts by that agency's employees for 8 years. Come on, Gov. Goodhair; your state's bad air doesn't stay within your borders. It drifts along and deposits the crap it contains on other states too. Perhaps you remember the acid rain problems that started years ago (and while improving, continue to this day)? That was caused by Midwestern industry and nearly sterilized the lakes in the Adirondack mountains. Excellent fishing grounds almost wiped out by non-native pollution.

Your "10th Amendment" states-rights arguments fall flat when your alleged right to sicken your own citizenry, flora and fauna affects neighboring states.

Before you, Mr. Governor, start to expound on any alleged socialist bias, please bear in mind that the EPA was approved by (Republican) President Richard M. Nixon -- hardly known as a socialist. He had reservations over creating a new government agency, but recognized the need for environmental oversight and protection.

If Texans want to kill their own citizens and wildlife, let them. But they had better first ensure that their efforts cannot adversely affect other states and/or nations. Air and water currents do not respect politically defined borders.