Proposed cuts at EPA reflect campaign promises: #tellusatoday

President Trump’s proposed budget would cut hundreds of programs and agencies , including more than 50 in the Environmental Protection Agency. Facebook comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

Nothing new here. This is essentially what Trump campaigned on, to rein in federal spending. He was very clear about it, especially the EPA and the Education Department.

Trump made it clear that the budget was going on a diet of non-essential spending.

— Larry Hubble

Now we know that Trump and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt are self-absorbed ignorants. How can anyone with eyes and a brain deny that humans have had huge impact on the environment? Trump doesn’t care because he doesn’t want anything in the way of his enrichment.

I hope Trump enjoys all his riches while the rest of us watch wildlife die, and we have no safe food to eat or safe water to drink. The ironic thing is, the lack of an EPA could be a direct link to more and different illnesses.

But hey, you guys will have Trump’s health care plan to cover you!

— Lisa Parker

The world was burning way before Trump’s days in office.

China hasn’t minimized its carbon footprint in a significant way, and to expect Americans — who are still hurting financially — to foot the bill for global warming is the dumbest thing I’ve heard in a long time.

— Matt Grayson

Letter to the editor:

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt recently said that he did not believe carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere are the primary cause of global warming. Mr. Pruitt, this is not an issue of “belief” but one of fact. Your belief runs counter to all scientific fact by the majority of scientists worldwide studying this issue. Neither you nor I have to “believe” that two plus two equals four. It’s a fact.

If Pruitt can’t separate his beliefs from acknowledged facts, he has no valid reason to head an agency as important as the EPA. In fact, he is too ensnared within his cocoon of beliefs to be in any position of responsibility within government or outside of it.

Bruce Barnbaum; Granite Falls, Wash.

Policing the USA

We asked our followers whether the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget should be cut or increased. Tweets are edited for clarity and grammar:

The EPA should have the resources and authority to prevent and solve situations such as Flint, Mich.
— @Thurguston1

Budget? The entire thing should be eliminated wholesale.
— @unclefacts

Increase. It contributes to public health by protecting the environment!
— @dcsportsfan75

For more, follow @USATOpinion and #tellusatoday.