Strange Bedfellows

Some Republicans joined forces with Democrats today to kill off - at least for the moment - the asbestos liability bill in the Senate. The Democrats oppose the bill because:

• If you're a Democrat, they oppose the bill because it will limit liability for bad acts by big corporations and there can be no doubt that some legitimate claimants will be screwed.
• If you're a Republican, the Democrats oppose the bill because they are in the pocket of the trial lawyers.

The truth is likely somewhere in between, although I think hanging around with asbestos lawyers probably isn't good, let alone good politics.

But the Republicans, who fought off the measure with a procedural move, object because they are concerned that W.R. Grace (probably best known as the polluter in the John Travolta movie, "A Civil Action") and USG and the rest of the asbestos companies will somehow sluff off the $140 billion dollar price tag on the taxpayers.

And they are probably right, but what is it about this particular piece of corporate welfare that they object to? Big pharma needs liability protection? Call the Republicans. Big oil needs bigger tax and land rights giveaways? Call the Republicans. Defense contractors running a little low? Call the Republicans.

Exposed workers with death sentences want a few bucks? Not on the taxpayers nickel. Not one dime.

Maybe strange bedfellows is the wrong description.