United States mining fatalities in the last four years of the Clinton administration and the first four years of Bush’s administration.

year 2004 - 54 fatalities
2003 - 56
2002 - 67
2001 - 72
Bush’s administration
2000 - 85
1999 - 90
1998 - 87
1997 - 91
Clinton’s administration

Liberals are trying to blame the Bush administration for the deaths of the 12 coal miners in West Virginia because they say Pres. Bush relax safety regulations but look at the numbers. Despite the fact that coal production is up in the mining industry now over 4 years ago (result of the boom in the energy sector) less people are dying.

I guess less regulation equal less deaths in mines.