Recall the countless times when Republicans have cried states' rights and new federalism as a solution to divisive political issues. Forget government at the federal level, let each state decide what's best for their electorate.

But if it has to do with pollution and clean air, well, suddenly the federal government is not so bad:

A federal appeals court yesterday struck down a Bush administration rule that prevented states and local governments from imposing stricter monitoring of pollution generated by power plants, factories and oil refineries than required by the federal government.

State, federal, whatever -- the GOP goes with whichever most favors big business on any given issue. Health and longevity be damned.