Under Obama, Agencies Step Up Rule-Making

The Gulf oil spill, the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia and even the recall of millions of Toyotas for unintended acceleration all have something in common. They were instances not just of industry failures but also of breakdowns in the government's regulatory process.

Democrats blame the Bush administration, which may or may not be fair. But it's clear the Obama administration is taking a much more aggressive approach to rule-making. The administration has instituted new rules governing everything from how long airline passengers can be held on the tarmac to the amount of combustible dust that can be produced at factories.