In the Schoolhouse Rock version of America, the press raises awareness about a problem, informed voters pressure both parties’ lawmakers, who then say “you’re right, there oughta be a law” — and then the legislative process proceeds.
This is how America’s political process is actually supposed to function, but almost never does in the wretched hive of scum and villainy that is modern Washington. And yet in a rare turn of events, the process seems to be working right now, which (to borrow a Bidenism) is a big f-ing deal.
In the weeks since the East Palestine train derailment, The Lever has spotlighted the governmental decisions that deregulated the nation’s rail system. That reporting shamed the national press into echoing our coverage — which was soon credited by lawmakers for raising public awareness of some of the biggest rail safety loopholes that were baked into America’s laws by corporate lobbyists and captured regulators.
