Ronnie Bryant walks out on opening coal mine.

“Nearly every day without fail … men stream to these [mining] operations looking for work in Walker County. They can’t pay their mortgage. They can’t pay their car note. They can’t feed their families. They don’t have health insurance. And as I stand here today, I just — you know — what’s the use?
I got a permit to open up an underground coal mine that would employ probably 125 people. They’d be paid wages from $50,000 to $150,000 a year. We would consume probably $50 million to $60 million in consumables a year, putting more men to work.
And my only idea today is to go home. What’s the use? I see these guys — I see them with tears in their eyes — looking for work. And if there’s so much opposition to these guys making a living, I feel like there’s no need in me putting out the effort to provide work for them. So ... basically what I’ve decided is not to open the mine. I’m just quitting. Thank you.”

The following was said by Ronnie Bryant in a public hearing concerning opening a coal mine in Birmingham. Bryant sat for two hours while environmentalist trashed talked and slandered industrial businessmen. So when it became his turn to step up to the mic, he set it straight. This is a great example of how bad government regulations has gotten. It takes an act of congress to mine coal even though our resources are plentiful. Same way with oil drilling. We buy our oil from other countries including our enemies when we have an abundant amount to consume right here in our own country. Take a look at just these two industries that could provide jobs and can turn around our economy. People wonder why America in falling behind in the industrial setting. Take a good look at your government.