Post by aquaduct on Nov 9, 2021 9:50:32 GMT -5
Just found out that the new OSHA rules mandating COVID vaccinations are open for public comment. I think it would be a great civics opportunity if as many of you as would like to would write up your comments and submit them to the docket. While it's fairly clear what I think, this is not an attempt to sway anyone's opinion. As a former Fed intimately involved in rulemaking I'm happy to answer any questions you may have, but in order to not sway opinion one way or another, I'll be happy to answer expressly political questions in PMs if you'd like.
First things first. The docket where you enter your comments is here. Note that it is open for 30 days of which you currently have 27 left. That's days, not weekdays. At midnight on the last day, it will automatically close. Here's a copy of the mandate, and here's a fact sheet on participation.
Now here are some general tips. Do not include any private information such as your SSN or birth date, as these comments become part of the permanent public record (yes, everything you write can be seen by anybody by searching the docket). Also, avoid snark and inappropriate language, which weaken your position. Try to make your points with logic, facts, stats, and common sense. Decent rational behavior is the best tack. And don't worry that you haven't mastered all of the details, your comments about any particular facets of the rule that will impact you are important.
Now from some significant time having to read everything in a rulemaking like this, remember that these comments may number in the millions. Still, the vast majority will be cut and paste from various interest groups. When the agency looks at it there will be notations like "15,272 comments said 'This sucks' or 'Do it before we all die'". Literally same text, different signatures. And there might be 65 of those tranches included. But the agency has to respond to anything it deems significant. So your comments, no matter how small you may think they are, may be an out sized part of the outcome.
Also note, and I think this is VERY important, the rule IS contemplating making it apply to businesses with less than 100 employees. So some guy with a window washing business in Louisiana or some other guy that makes custom doors in Montana just might want to take a shot at trying to influence the outcome.
The Federal Leviathan is a ponderous beast and nothing's guaranteed, but here's a genuine chance to put your Soundhole chops to real service to your fellow countrymen. Oh, and some of the best comments I read in my time were 30 page dissertations from physicists in Canada and other countries, so no one's requiring you to be a citizen.
I sincerely hope y'all take me up on it.
First things first. The docket where you enter your comments is here. Note that it is open for 30 days of which you currently have 27 left. That's days, not weekdays. At midnight on the last day, it will automatically close. Here's a copy of the mandate, and here's a fact sheet on participation.
Now here are some general tips. Do not include any private information such as your SSN or birth date, as these comments become part of the permanent public record (yes, everything you write can be seen by anybody by searching the docket). Also, avoid snark and inappropriate language, which weaken your position. Try to make your points with logic, facts, stats, and common sense. Decent rational behavior is the best tack. And don't worry that you haven't mastered all of the details, your comments about any particular facets of the rule that will impact you are important.
Now from some significant time having to read everything in a rulemaking like this, remember that these comments may number in the millions. Still, the vast majority will be cut and paste from various interest groups. When the agency looks at it there will be notations like "15,272 comments said 'This sucks' or 'Do it before we all die'". Literally same text, different signatures. And there might be 65 of those tranches included. But the agency has to respond to anything it deems significant. So your comments, no matter how small you may think they are, may be an out sized part of the outcome.
Also note, and I think this is VERY important, the rule IS contemplating making it apply to businesses with less than 100 employees. So some guy with a window washing business in Louisiana or some other guy that makes custom doors in Montana just might want to take a shot at trying to influence the outcome.
The Federal Leviathan is a ponderous beast and nothing's guaranteed, but here's a genuine chance to put your Soundhole chops to real service to your fellow countrymen. Oh, and some of the best comments I read in my time were 30 page dissertations from physicists in Canada and other countries, so no one's requiring you to be a citizen.
I sincerely hope y'all take me up on it.
