Mark Sumner on The Daily Kos writes a love letter to the coal miner – and bids them good luck in the future in new occupations:
But the reason miners are so passionate about their job goes beyond just that close bond with fellow miners. It’s that thing at the top of the article. That “work of the world waits on him” bit. There are songs about how “coal keeps the lights on.” There’s a romance that wanders through “16 tons” and past a lot of coal miner’s daughters. From the stickers on the hardhats to the banners in the mine parking lot, miners are reminded every day that what they are doing is important, vital to the nation. They are still Wilson’s “great service army.”
They’re not just risking their lives. They’re risking them for you, America. Only … that’s no longer true. And I’m sorry. Really sorry. But it’s not.
Mark says he used to work in the industry. I found this bit interesting as well:
In fact, the regulations that Trump is repealing will make [coal miner job losses] happen faster. The rule that was changed on allowing more coal waste in streams won’t make new coal jobs. It will allow mining companies to replace underground mines with mountaintop removal mines. Those mines use far fewer people. When Trump signed that document and handed you the pen, what he was repealing was coal jobs.
Clearly a guy who knows and loves the coal miner families. And I agree with him, they once did crucial work and deserve honor for it. But natural gas is replacing coal for free enterprise reasons – and coal carries a load of environmental problems as well. This doesn’t impact the honor of the coal miners, which remains intact. But it’s time to move on.
