While I agree to a certain extent[politicians & Big coal], the last 10-20 years prior to the big O taking office, coalminers weren't doing too bad any more. Making a good living under much better conditions etc.
True. Of course, that comes at a steep price (mountain top removal mining is Hell on trout streams, upland bird (grouse, woodcock) populations, is none too good for deer or bear, and overall kind of sucks for groundwater wells).
I have no problem with coal, or mining; just do it right without jacking up the whole works. Seems neither side can (no, they could - they just don't want to) figure that out.
