Shadow cabinet
About three dozen or so appointees have been prescribed by Obama to oversee interests or issues integral to the successful advancement of his agenda.
The use of this influential executive system is not new, as many previous presidents have appointed special masters or staff to spearhead specific policy initiatives. But no previous president has ever matched the number of or authority bestowed upon such appointees.
Obama's appointees, networked through his Chief of Staff, have nearly unfettered access to the Oval Office. In the Obama administration, their power to direct domestic policy rivals, if not exceeds, the authority of his Cabinet. Think not? Just ask Secretary of State Clinton.
Which is why it is prudent to revisit the topic, especially with so many upcoming policy battles when Congress reconvenes.
Obsessing over triviality
But first, what to call them? In the past, print and electronic media, Washington insiders, the professional punditocracy, Internet mavens, and just about every other mode of political interpretation labeled them "czars" (or tsars).
Now of course, most Americans educated prior to 1980 understand that a Tsar or "Czar"
(derived from Caesar) equates to Emperor in the European medieval sense of the term, that is, a ruler who claims the same rank as a Roman emperor, with the approval of another emperor or a supreme ecclesiastical official. Kaiser stems from a similar derivation.
Apparently this is important to note because there may be a few reading this who: 1) Are not aware of the term or its derivation; or 2) Are aware but are semantically obsessed, bumptiously presuming that others are incapable of such comprehension. It seems that for a few, this fixation with triviality is a vocation of passion.
And so for our OCD-afflicted friends, the use of Czar, though semantically incorrect, is nevertheless firmly established in the vernacular of Congress, journalism, and modern American politics to denote such Executive Office appointments; It shall remain the term of choice.
Accountability
Obama's czars have been equipped with all of the tools and resources necessary to carry out his bidding. They don't have to undergo Senate Confirmation Hearings, and without the vetting process their histories are, to say the least, enigmatic.
The interests that fall under the purview of Obama's czars include health care, the economy, energy, urban issues, and a few dozen more -- prompting concern among many lawmakers that Obama is unconstitutionally bypassing Congress.
Cabinet secretaries and agency chiefs are accountable both to the president and to Congress. But since these czars have never been confirmed by the Senate and hold positions not created by Congress, they cannot be impeached and removed from office.
Other than Obama, to whom or what are they accountable?
Lack of oversight
Members of Congress and political experts alike fear that Obama is setting up a system that is not subject to congressional oversight and creates the potential for conflict with Cabinet secretaries and agency"They ... often shield information behind executive privilege. This can inhibit openness..."heads (this is already occurring).
Democrat Senator Robert C. Byrd was concerned enough to send a cautionary letter to Obama. "At times," he wrote, "past White House staffers have assumed duties that should be the responsibility of officials cleared through the Senate confirmation process."
He cited President Bush naming homeland security czar Tom Ridge as an example. Byrd added, "They rarely testify before congressional committees and often shield the information and decision-making process behind the assertion of executive privilege. This can inhibit openness and transparency, and reduce accountability."
"The rapid and easy accumulation of power by White House staff can threaten the constitutional system of checks and balances," Byrd said. "These Czars are 'Political Officers.' In the old Soviet Union, they were called Commissars."
They speak for him
The Executive Branch of government is organized hierarchically, top-down, by Departments (Treasury, Defense, etc.). Each department"Other than Obama, to whom or what are they accountable?" functions under the direction of an executive, referred to as a Secretary, who is confirmed by the Senate.
Obama's appointment of three dozen czars changes the fundamental fabric of the Executive Branch into a "matrix" structure, with czars wielding power across the departmental spectrum within the Executive Branch. They speak for Obama and their function is to ensure compliance with his policies.
Most Americans don't know who many of these Czars are. They've had no background checks. There is no Congressional oversight. They are appointed by Obama and are extraordinarily powerful, simply because they are directed by and report directly to Obama.
We don't know how much money they make. We don't know how many taxpayer dollars they oversee. We don't know the size of their staffs. We don't know the true extent of their power. Welcome to transparent government, Chicago style.
And life controlled by central authority.
Hype and Chains.
-- Hat Tip to Beckwith and The Obama File.