[Dog Gone]

Of course businesses try to influence government officials. Every vested interest in the country does so, from mayors, non-profit organizations, labor unions, and anyone else who can donate a buck.

Businesses do not always win. In fact, they usually lose. That's why many are leaving the country to set up shop elsewhere.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

It is time that legislators and regulators stop adopting fashionable eco-scare campaigns, until they at least learn what interests are actually behind each one.

They know but simply sell out for the campaign money in California.

[Carry_Okie]

Businesses do not always win. In fact, they usually lose. That's why many are leaving the country to set up shop elsewhere.

I don't buy it. In fact, the big guys often lobby FOR the regulation to put their competition out of business (see nuclear). The CARB is loaded with industry lobbyists, which is why we still have MTBE. So it is with the Board of Forestry (Simpson). So is with the Water Quality Control Board (big Ag and real estate).

The reason industry didn't leave in the past was the threat of political instability or nationalization. Now they go for the cheap labor and non-existent regulation abroad without a care and cash in on their residual domestic holdings, by manipulating currencies, real estate, raw material prices... They don't seem to be hurting for it and appear to be fond of clothing themselves as internationalists and thumbing their noses at America, that is until it is time to shed blood to save thier sorry asses. Have you ever considered that the public guarantee of their safe conduct through military power is a subsidy and that they are therefore winning, not losing?

That's what it looks like to me.