White House czars multiplying like rabbits

[IglooDame]

On CNN's cable news this morning, they noted that whereas Reagan, Bush (41), and Clinton each had 1-3 czars, Bush (43) had 10+ and Obama has 30+. I haven't looked at their math, mostly because I cannot find the story on CNN's website. Another source cites 16 Obama czars as of a month ago.

And a potential attempt by Congress to do something about it:

A Republican on the House Appropriations Committee is attempting to pull the financial plug on the Obama administration's many "czars."

Rep. Jack Kingston of Georgia introduced legislation Wednesday that prohibits use of government funds to pay the salaries or expenses of individuals in the new administration that have been appointed by President Obama without the advice and consent of the Senate. The financial prohibition in the "Czar Accountability and Reform Act (CZAR) of 2009″ extends to the staffs of the administration's "czars."

The president has named aides or so-called "czars" with responsibility for a number of areas including energy/climate change, health care reform, enforcement of federal drug laws, and the automotive industry.

The White House declined to comment on Kingston's legislation.

Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution provides that:

[the president] shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law: but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.

"Why won't the President use transparency and have these people come before the Senate and undergo the constitutionally-mandated process?," Kingston asked in a release announcing his amendment to an appropriations bill.

"It seems President Obama is in the midst of forming a parallel government to push his policies," Kingston also said Wednesday. The Georgia Republican added that the positions occupied by Obama's so-called "czars" "duplicate existing Senate-confirmed positions."

Seventeen other House Republicans have joined Kingston in sponsoring the anti-czar bill.

In February, Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia criticized the new administration's use of "czars" to oversee policy in several areas.

"As presidential assistants and advisers, these White House staffers are not accountable for their actions to the Congress, to cabinet officials, and to virtually anyone but the president," Byrd wrote in a letter to Obama. "In too many instances, White House staff have been allowed to inhibit openness and transparency, and reduce accountability."[/QUOTE]

I'm not particularly happy with the "czar" concept either - it does appear to simply be an end-run around Senate confirmation and accountability. And just to sidestep the inevitable partisanship - yes Reagan actually started it, Dubya started it in earnest, and Obama is greatly increasing it, so I wouldn't call it an Rep/Dem thing.

Thoughts, CFC OT?

 

[holy king]

on the guillotine with them!

seriously, what? czars?

 

[amadeus]

I thought it was actually under the Nixon administration the first time it was used...

 

[El_Machinae]

Isn't a Czar a proxy for the president?

 

[IglooDame]

I thought it was actually under the Nixon administration the first time it was used...

Okay, maybe it was Nixon that started it.

 

[Patroklos]

I hate that name.

 

[GenMarshall]

It's the era of the Czars!

 

[bhsup]

They're spelling it wrong to boot. Tsar, if you please.

Btw, I would say FDR probably started it in WWII when he placed certain people in control of various facets of the nation's manufacturing.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

I hate that name.

Me too. Its so...random.

They're spelling it wrong to boot. Tsar, if you please.

For real. It begins with Ц, which makes a "ts" sound. Like at the end of the word "cats."

Btw, I would say FDR probably started it in WWII when he placed certain people in control of various facets of the nation's manufacturing.

Part of that program (NIRA, I think?) was ruled unconstitutional. I don't think it was for that reason, though.

 

[Kozmos]

I've had enough of the name back in the Bush era. Who even thought it up?

 

[Patroklos]

I understand the concept, you identify a particular aspect of government or issue that requires some special supervision so you bring in a consultant (and yes, that is exactly what it is). However, I think they should be set temporary positions and the Executive should have to provide for and pay for the billet out of those already authorized. If you want a GS16 for the job, you fire another one to make the room.

 

[Cutlass]

No one in American service should ever have the title of czar. It's appalling. Who came up with it, anyways?

 

[Dachs]

I've had enough of the name back in the Bush era. Who even thought it up?

No one in American service should ever have the title of czar. It's appalling. Who came up with it, anyways?

Read the thread? Nixon, prolly.

 

[Miles Teg]

Considering the thread title and the age and looks of your average White House Czar is disturbing.

I don't want to imagine those people breeding!

 

[Erik Mesoy]

They're spelling it wrong to boot. Tsar, if you please.

For real. It begins with Ц, which makes a "ts" sound. Like at the end of the word "cats."

Bah at both of you. It should be "Caesar"!