EPA emissions standards is an issue near and dear to my heart. But I also know that it is sharply divided between "country mouse" and "city mouse". I grew up in a highly polluted city in the 70's. EPA standards completely changed the living conditions of that city so things like "smog" are ancient history (unlike in Beijing where there are no emissions controls). People who live in suburban and rural areas seem to care little about emissions standards since it is an issue that has, seemingly, little impact on them.
Long story short, we are not going to come together on this. People like me who have lived through smog and toxic city air in the 70's and earlier will continue to believe in the EPA's mission. Those who have never really been impacted by such air pollution will continue to believe the EPA is a nuisance.
Once upon a time we would have come together and agreed to compromise. But compromise these days seems to be completely reversing programs we disagree with, rather than finding some middle ground.
The first step here is to acknowledge that the mission of the EPA is vital. Then we need to look at the standards being applied and see if we can find some acceptable "middle ground" where EVERYONE is equally unhappy. Just my two cents.
