What’s the moment at which sick children and premature deaths from asthma become the priority?

Earlier this summer, the EPA presented the president with a proposal to reduce the amount of ozone–a key contributor to smog–that’s allowed in our air. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson had referred to the existing smog standard as “legally indefensible.”

Last Friday, the President rejected any reduction in the near term.

President Obama is in a tough spot. American families are suffering in this economy, and the news that we saw zero net job growth in August doesn’t help. A tough election season looms. But none of that excuses failing to protect our children’s health.

Polluters present this as a choice between jobs and