With Bush, it seems everything is political
Perhaps this euphemism has been around for some time, but it is new to me: "Regulatory Policy Officer." It refers to a political hack residing within a federal agency who is charged with ensuring that the agency's rules coincide with the president's views.
On July 24, President Bush's Executive Order 13422 took effect. An excerpt: "...Unless specifically authorized by the head of the agency, no rulemaking shall commence nor be included on the Plan without the approval of the agency's Regulatory Policy Office..."
Some will recall the political officer on board the Soviet submarine Red October in Tom Clancy's book. The captain could make no serious decision without his approval. Imagine a skipper in the U.S. Navy commanding under such circumstances. This is the black cloud under which our federal agencies now operate.
David Williams
High Point
Comments (7)
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"Zampolits". That's what the political officers attached to military in the Soviet Union were called.
We are seeing either an embrace of old Soviet policy, or we are entering Micromanagement Hell. In either case, America is getting screwed.
Posted on August 1, 2007 3:59 AM
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/orders/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/inforeg/eo12866/eo12866_amended_01-2007.pdf
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070118.html
"Guidance document" means an agency statement ... or an interpretation of a statutory or regulatory issue."
also known as:
All pigs are equal, but some are more equal.
Posted on August 1, 2007 5:15 AM
So I guess Marko Ramius jumped out of the frying pan only to land in the fire...
No doubt about it, Bush is now emulating the old Soviet Union in order to quicken the pace of America's demise. After all, he only has roughly 18 more months to finish the task or face replacement via those pesky elections. (and we all know how unpredictable THEY can be)
Posted on August 1, 2007 7:00 AM
neocon, I fear that once again your sarcasm has spoken the truth.
Posted on August 1, 2007 8:50 AM
My personal belief is Bushy and friends are really doing they think is best for America - which as a first priority means dominance of the Republican party over only one meaningful competitor which means no third political groups need apply.
Posted on August 1, 2007 11:15 AM
Anyone know if Executive Orders carry over to the next admistration?
I know that's Bruce Fein problem - the PRESIDENTIAL POWERS that Bushy is claiming will be inhereted by the next president - one who may be Red or may be Blue.
Remember the "Let's have a simple up or down vote" rhetoric? Think if that had become the new standard the Wide Eyed Queen would have always her way and America would be in serious dog doo.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0610.fein.html
"... Republican Congress has done nothing to thwart President George W. Bush’s alarming usurpations of legislative prerogatives."
Posted on August 1, 2007 11:21 AM
"Anyone know if Executive Orders carry over to the next admistration?"
They sure do. Executive Orders stand until rescinded, either by the current President or a subsequent one.
"I know that's Bruce Fein problem - the PRESIDENTIAL POWERS that Bushy is claiming will be inhereted by the next president - one who may be Red or may be Blue."
This is what should have been scaring a lot of people all this time already. Bush has done IMMEASURABLE damage to constitutional rule of law in this country. It will only be a matter of time - and probably sooner than later - before one of his successors uses Bush's precedents to ... well, I don't really like to think about it.
For all the worrying that some have about the prospect of a Hillary Clinton presidency, they should bear in mind that there is little that she will be able to do, that wasn't already established by George W. Bush.
That might be George W. Bush's biggest legacy right there: as the man who fully empowered Hillary.
Posted on August 1, 2007 7:24 PM