"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it."
Okay, the GOP seems to be in a tizzy over the number of czars in the Obama administration. Six Republicans have written a letter to the White House saying, "The creation of 'czars,' particularly within the Executive Office of the President, circumvents the constitutionally established process of 'advise and consent,' [and] greatly diminishes the ability of Congress to conduct oversight and hold officials accountable." The letter asks for information about their authority, qualifications and transparency. It also asked that the Obama administration stop from creating any new czar positions.
So the White House is on the offensive. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said that the GOP "silence was deafening" on the issue of czars during the Bush administration. Well ... maybe because when Bush appointed a czar, he didn't really consider him to be a czar in the "Czar Nicholas" sense.
This is the favorite tactic of the left. When in doubt, just say "Well Bush did it!"
Bush, did in fact have czars during his administration. In fact, the whole concept of czars goes back to Ronald Reagan with the Drug Czar. President Clinton had 3 czars during his administration. George W. Bush had 4 czars. But Barack Obama has how many ... 16 ... 18 czars .. and counting?
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What others are saying
"Czar" is an outdated term, modernize it
I really think that the term "Czar" should be retired when speaking of the special assistants that the President appoints.
If you look at the backgrounds of these people you will find that, like Van Jones. they have no real expertise in their particular areas, but do share the political views of the President.
Since what they are are political appointees that have carte blanche to poke into whatever they want to see in order to insure that the bureaucracies are adhering to the political desires of the President. They should not be named "Czars" since a "czar" is a Russian Autocrat.
In a bow to tradtion, and to more correctly reflect their status, they should be called 'Commisars". A comissar was a Russian official who was authorized to poke into everything to insure political correctness and that is what the presently named "Czars" do.
czar list
I notice that there is no czar for business. On the other hand, considering Obama's distain for the private sector, having one that supports capitalism would be biz-czar :)
(Please tell me that I am not the only one to think of that!)
rejsday
you're missing the point. the point in saying "bush had czars too" is not to justify obama having them. It's to turn it around and say "why are you now all of a sudden so upset with this?" as it's been in place since reagan.
but now - ooohh!! It's russia! We're becoming Russia with czars!
I dont have a problem with czars. they're just advisors to the president.
but I do have a problem with disingenuous anger from people who seem to be willfully ignorant. Or worse, know better but just need something to shake their fist at.
Bush had more
At least according to wikipedia, Bush had more czars than Obama. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._executive_branch_czars
Where do I apply?
Man, talk about a cush job! Accountability? Don't bet in it. Qualifications? What do you mean by that? I don't need no stinkin' qualifications...I don't have to show you qualifications! I guess it's just another way to repay a 'favor' to an old cohort. I could be the Czar of...uh...um...well, no matter. I'm sure the Whitehouse could use someone with little to offer outside of lighting fires and tormenting souls...oh, wait, that's Rahm Emanuel's job. Sorry! My bad!
smart people
James said, "I've come to the conclusion conservatives, republicans and their fringe HATE smart people in general." Thats why we like you!
@butt neckid
Inquiring minds want to know!
WHY!!!!
Maybe there needs to be an answer Czar or how about a Czar of the Czars
Who the heck is Lori???
Czars
Arguing over Czars is just plain stupid.
For decades some moronic middle level manager in our massive bureaucratic machine we call our FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, can with a stroke of a pen create a "new" law. It happens all the time in agencies such as the EPA, Fish and Wildlife, and others. When these agencies change wording in federal regulations without going through Congress, it is called making new laws and have with them fines and jail time.
relorih
super list lori, mind telling us how many of those were existing posts prior to Obama taking office?
(hint, it's more than 4..it's even more than 20)
"Well, Bush did it!"
This is what simply astounds me about the logic or lack their of in the left. They harp on and on and on and on about how Bush was the worst President this country has ever seen. Then they use him as an example of why they should do what they are doing. They are emulating the worst President in History! (according to them)
Obama spending money like a drunk with a gamboling addiction in Vegas. Well Bush did it first!
leave her outa dis........................
STEPCUZIN.........granmas arrows????? leave po' granma alone......an' leaf yo' brutha James alone too!!!!
Y??????????
RIGHT WING NUT...........y u axen so many kwestions?????? huh?
next thing you know you gonna make LORIH wear her fingers to da bone gittin' to the next czar.....the Yczar!!!!
now quit.....eat your peas......
I know BN!
wow....just wow........ LORIH........you da man.....oooops......you da WOman......that must have been some kinda hard job to dig through alla the crap to come up with that list......thank you......you com'on down to our parties any ol' time.....bring ice.......
see what she did JoyceM/B????? wake Tshirt up it's his turn to stir...... By butt neckid
I know where you're going with it...
Lori, gonna use your list, since it's the shortest, most concise one I've found yet without hours of editing down to the basics.
So many Czars, so little time.
This whole Czar thing is not about placing the most qualified individual in a position to fix a problem that that individual is uniquely qualified to fix. Its about political favors. This is why we have 30 some Czars and the country is still going to hell in a hand basket.
wow....just wow........
LORIH........you da man.....oooops......you da WOman......that must have been some kinda hard job to dig through alla the crap to come up with that list......thank you......you com'on down to our parties any ol' time.....bring ice.......
see what she did JoyceM/B????? wake Tshirt up it's his turn to stir......
@Lane
"I believe when that many republicans get together for anything they have to register it w/ the klan as an official meeting."
So they can do what...murder other Republicans? You do realize that the KKK not only lynched blacks, but white Republicans as well, right? http://www.mazalien.com/ku-klux-klan-a-secret-history.html
Idiot!
Czars
In the news today. Don Rickles has been retained by the Whitehouse to be the new "Heckle Czar". Obama was quiet after Joe Wilson yelled "you Lie" during his speech. From now on, Mr. Rickles will be on the spot to type snappy comebacks onto the teleprompter so POTUS can retort in a timely manner. From a source close me.
CZARS
Actually Neal, Obama has 31 CZARS and counting: CZARS 1 Afghanistan Czar: Richard Holbrooke 2 AIDS Czar: Jeffrey Crowley 3 Auto recovery Czar: Ed Montgomery 4 Border Czar: Alan Bersin 5 California Water Czar: David J. Hayes 6 Car Czar: Ron Bloom 7 Central Region Czar: Dennis Ross 8 Domestic Violence Czar: Lynn Rosenthal 9 Drug Czar: Gil Kerlikowske 10 Economic Czar: Paul Volcker 11 Energy and Environment Czar: Carol Brower 12 Faith-Based Czar: Joshua DuBois 13 Great Lakes Czar: Cameron Davis 14 Green Jobs Czar: TBD 15 Guantanamo Closure Czar: Daniel Fried 16 Health Czar: Nancy-Ann DeParle 17 Information Czar: Vivek Kundra 18 International Climate Czar: Todd Stern 19 Intelligence Czar: Dennis Blair 20 Mideast Peace Czar: George Mitchell 21 Pay Czar: Kenneth Feinberg 22 Regulatory Czar: Cass Sunstein 23 Science Czar: John Holdren 24 Stimulus Accountability Czar: Earl Devaney 25 Sudan Czar: J. Scott Gration 26 TARP Czar: Herb Allison 27 Terrorism Czar: John Brennan 28 Technology Czar: Aneesh Chopra 29 Urban Affairs Czar: Adolfo Carrion Jr. 30 Weapons Czar: Ashton Carter 31 WMD Policy Czar: Gary Samore
Obama Czars vs. Bush Czars
Huh. So Gibbs wants to play the "Well Bush did it" game. OK, let's keep score:
Bush Czars: 4 Obama Czars: 31(used to be 32 before Jones resigned)
Yeah, Bob. They're the same. *rolls eyes*
Left Wing Hate
Why do liberals hate so much?
Why do they hate America?
Why do they resort to name calling at every turn.
Why?
James
It's okay to be stupid. You were born that way, so I don't hold it against you....same goes for homeliness. However, if you were fat (something you control), I would be inclined to call you "fatty", "fatso", "bubbles", etc.
I'm getting off track here. The point is that you should really consider not accusing other people of stupidity, considering your post is chock-full of grammatical errors.
Tu Quoques of the Left
I'm tired of all these logical fallacies we keep getting from the Left.
"Bush Did It" -- so that makes it right for Obama to do it?
How about a course in remedial logic? Even a short course on logical fallacies:
http://www.fallacyfiles.org/index.html
reaxeman
wow, so in one post you rightly contradicted neal's count of 4 - thank you!
and agreed with Robert Byrd.
My work here is done. You've officially eaten yourself. LOL!
Czars, czars, and more czars
Always wanted to tell a gang of czars to kiss my rusty butt! What the hey. I'm going to jail for not buying government rationed healthcare anyway.
spend spend spend
Overindulgence and wasteful spending is the standard for the Obamas. Hell, Queen Michelle has 26 servants who attend to her every whim.
They know, on a very conscious level, that they are pillaging. These are power-hungry control freaks who don't give a flying crap about this country or anybody outside their elitist circle of fellow goons. They're all laughing at us.
Czar and the Dumb Left
Intellectuals come in all shapes (and colors). Obama has deliberately chosen a large proportion that would fall into the extreme category. But you probably have no issue with that eh?
Your "intellectuals" quite often belong to the Progressive movement. They have written and spoken about their beliefs that not just America but the whole world needs to reduce population (usually directed at minorities), stop eating meat, and pretty much follow the "from each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs" philosophy. Oh where have I heard that before????
Now, you want to review the names the left have tossed at the right? Don't be a hypocrite.
Van Jones
Counting Czars 30 now that Van Jones is gone. By George P
But the position is still there, I'm sure they will fill it with someone.
We have to stop this nonsense for all presidents, now and future.
Snarky Math
According to your data you should have done it by year which is how we are judging the toddler in command. So this is how the breakdown goes by year
After carefully reading and listening to the "outrage" on Czars including the fear of "intellectuals". I've come to the conclusion conservatives, republicans and their fringe HATE smart people in general. They like to call folks "pencil head geeks" and the like. the right hates smart folks that's why they don't like czars. Just follow the red states; they are generally at the bottom in education.
Czars
Aside from the additional bureauracry, expense, and phonetically-challenged name, I don't see the problems with the concept of a czar.
As far as I'm concerned, the President ought to be able to surround himself with whatever advisors he wants. That should be part of the consequence of picking the President. I believe even the Cabinet should operature under these rules. All of their decisions end up being the responsibility of the President, and this just gives us more reasons to elect a President with some wisdom, not a barack.
OK, so Barack picked a self-admitted communist to the "Green Jobs Czar", but that does not make the White House more dangerous: it simply exposed how dangerous the White House actually is. That guy (forget his name) was going to implement the very same policies that Obama himself would authorize! The problem isn't that Obama picked a Comrade for the job, it's that America picked Obama for the role of President.
That said, I find the use of czars to be fiscally wasteful and therefore I'd love to see them go. 18? How much money do their salaries, offices, and assistants cost us every year?
Counting Czars
30 now that Van Jones is gone.
6 republicans got together??
I believe when that many republicans get together for anything they have to register it w/ the klan as an official meeting.
What?
What happened to cutting the fat out of the administration? Another promise broken. You ask each department to cut 10% and THEN you add 32 CZARS to work for you. No vetting. How much do they make? It's my money paying for them, so shouldn't we know? And since they have the president's ear, shouldn't we be concerned about who they are?
You're a little off, Neal
W. had about 16 czars, Obama has over 30.
Hey snarky - you're a fool.
Let's look at the list of the czars that Bush appointed in an 8 year span...
Out of your list I count 31 - not "almost 40" as you claim. (I CAN count) with some of the positions being held by multiple people over time.
Of the 31, let's look at how many of them don't hold actual power: An Abstinance czar An AIDS czar Bird Flu czar Birth Control czar Homeless / Homelessness czar Public diplomacy czar Reading czar
Look like most of those positions were for PR purposes - not real policy making... And most of them would probable not fall under the direct jurisdiction of a cabinet post.
Now lets look at O-Sham-Wow's czars: Herb Allison-TARP Czar Alan Bersin-Border Czar Dennis Blair-Intelligence Czar John Brennan-Terrorism Czar Carol Browner-Energy Czar Adolfo Carrion, Jr-Urban Affairs Czar Ashton Carter-Weapons Czar Aneesh Chopra-Technology Czar Jeffrey Crowley-AIDS Czar Cameron Davis-Great Lakes Czar Nancy-Ann DeParle-Health Czar Earl Devaney-Stimulus Accountability Czar Joshua DuBois-Faith-based Czar Kenneth Feinberg-Pay Czar Danny Fried-Guantanamo Closure Czar J. Scott Gration-Sudan Czar Richard Holbrooke-Afghanistan Czar John Holdren-Science Czar Van Jones Green-Jobs Czar Gil Kerlikowske-Drug Czar Vivek Kundra-Information Czar George Mitchell-Mideast Peace Czar Ed Montgomery-Car Czar Dennis Ross-Mideast Policy Czar Gary Samore-WMD Czar Todd Stern-Climate Czar Cass Sunstein-Regulatory Czar Paul Volcker-Economic Czar
Since you have trouble counting - that's 28. In 8 months in office. Most of them have significant decision making authority and most of them have been put in place instead of a Senate approved cabinet officer.
Hell snarky - even Robert Byrd says that O'Bamalama-ding-dang is flirting with his czars being unconstitutional!
Grow the hell up...
Too Many Czars
Barak does not have the experience to deal with these important issues. The man needs help with everything he does (politically) or he botches it. Even when he gets help, it is the wrong help and it gets botched anyway. I feel sorry for the man (sometimes). It must be a burden to know that just about everything you do or plan to do is a disaster in the making.
Obama can have all he wants
Just run them through the vetting process first. So we don't have any convicts, avowed communists with direct access to the President and the White House.
But the money to pay for them comes out of what budget? How much are they costing us? And they should NEVER have powers that interfere with already existing Cabinet/Congressional officials.
Czar's = groupthink
How else can President Obama practice groupthink without a group surronding him? The not-so-great orator is turning into the not-so-great delagator.
Czars
Isn't the number of Czars more like 32?
where did you learn to count?
This is funny. I tried to post the list of czars under Bush with descriptions and it's too many words!
Bush had almost 40 czars if you just count the posts. And more then 40 if you count all the people who held those posts.
The List of Czars under President George W. Bush and their years:
An Abstinence Czar (2006-2007)
THREE different AIDS Czars (2001-2002), (2002-2003), and (2006-2007).
Bank Bailout Czar (2008-2009)
Bioethics Czar (2001-2005)
Bird flu Czar (2004-2006)
Birth Control Czar (2006-2007)
THREE different Budget Czars (2001-2003), (2003-2006), and (2006-2007).
TWO Clean Up Czasr (2001-2004) (2005-2008)
Communications Czar
TWO Cyber Security Czar, Cyber Czars (2001-2003), and (2008-2009)
Democracy Czar (2005-2008)
Domestic Policy Czar (2004-2006)
Drug Czar (2001-2009)
FOUR Faith-Based Czar, Faith Czars (2001) (2001) (2002-2006) (2006-2008)
Food Safety Czar (2007-2008)
TWO Global AIDS Czars (2003-2006) (2006-2009)
Health Czar for WTC, World Trade Center Health Czar (2006-2008)
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