Really excellent points eaves about government oversight: “However, the current political atmosphere will only make things worse. A significant percentage of the American people are declaring that less government regulation is needed, and that regulation and oversight are “job-killers”. I, myself, believe that this is a patently ridiculous claim, and I have yet to see anyone in a position of authority present an actual documented case that proves how judicious oversight/regulation caused any well-operated previously successful corporation to go out of business. In fact, the roots of today’s horrendous economy can certainly be traced to a LACK of oversight and enforcement of regulations on the top execs and owners of financial institutions and businesses who intentionally engaged in business practices that posed a high risk to their employees, their customers, and to the nation.”

Even with regulation though, if you have enough money you can get around the exemptions: “SACRAMENTO — Unable to mediate a settlement with opponents of a football stadium proposed for the city of Industry, the California Senate approved a measure Wednesday that exempts the project from state environmental laws. http://articles.latimes.com/2009/oct/15/local/me-stadium15”
Seems to me politics and money compromise science and commonsense. Or to put it another way, for the people in charge, money talks.