There were times this past week when it seemed like the 19th-century Know-Nothing Party had returned to Washington. President Obama insisted he knew nothing about major decisions in the State Department, or the Justice Department, or the Internal Revenue Service. The heads of those agencies, in turn, insisted they knew nothing about major decisions by their subordinates. It was as if the government functioned by some hidden hand.

Clearly, there was a degree of willful blindness in these claims. However, the suggestion that someone, even the president, is in control of today’s government may be an illusion.
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The growing dominance of the federal government over the states has obscured more fundamental changes within the federal government itself: It is not just bigger, it is dangerously off kilter. Our carefully constructed system of checks and balances is being negated by the rise of a fourth branch, an administrative state of sprawling departments and agencies that govern with increasing autonomy and decreasing transparency.
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The rise of the fourth branch has been at the expense of Congress’s lawmaking authority. In fact, the vast majority of “laws” governing the United States are not passed by Congress but are issued as regulations, crafted largely by thousands of unnamed, unreachable bureaucrats. One study found that in 2007, Congress enacted 138 public laws, while federal agencies finalized 2,926 rules, including 61 major regulations.
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This rulemaking comes with little accountability. It’s often impossible to know, absent a major scandal, whom to blame for rules that are abusive or nonsensical.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/t...c1_story_1.html

Great, but troublesome article.

Quote: Olivia wrote in post #1

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There were times this past week when it seemed like the 19th-century Know-Nothing Party had returned to Washington. President Obama insisted he knew nothing about major decisions in the State Department, or the Justice Department, or the Internal Revenue Service. The heads of those agencies, in turn, insisted they knew nothing about major decisions by their subordinates. It was as if the government functioned by some hidden hand.

Clearly, there was a degree of willful blindness in these claims. However, the suggestion that someone, even the president, is in control of today’s government may be an illusion.
------
The growing dominance of the federal government over the states has obscured more fundamental changes within the federal government itself: It is not just bigger, it is dangerously off kilter. Our carefully constructed system of checks and balances is being negated by the rise of a fourth branch, an administrative state of sprawling departments and agencies that govern with increasing autonomy and decreasing transparency.
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The rise of the fourth branch has been at the expense of Congress’s lawmaking authority. In fact, the vast majority of “laws” governing the United States are not passed by Congress but are issued as regulations, crafted largely by thousands of unnamed, unreachable bureaucrats. One study found that in 2007, Congress enacted 138 public laws, while federal agencies finalized 2,926 rules, including 61 major regulations.
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This rule making comes with little accountability. It’s often impossible to know, absent a major scandal, whom to blame for rules that are abusive or nonsensical.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/t...c1_story_1.html

Great, but troublesome article.

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Thanks for posting, very troublesome.

Speaking of technocrats ATG, look at them being installed across the EuroZone.

Quote: FP123 wrote in post #4

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Speaking of technocrats ATG, look at them being installed across the EuroZone.

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Congress is not honest with the people. They do not explain our collective peril to their constituents. It isn't a matter of righting the ship.

In a future time there will be cataclysmic war.

One of the best articles I've read explaining the reasons for the limited government view in a long time.

Quote: Olivia wrote in post #1

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The rise of the fourth branch has been at the expense of Congress’s lawmaking authority. In fact, the vast majority of “laws” governing the United States are not passed by Congress but are issued as regulations, crafted largely by thousands of unnamed, unreachable bureaucrats. One study found that in 2007, Congress enacted 138 public laws, while federal agencies finalized 2,926 rules, including 61 major regulations.
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This rulemaking comes with little accountability. It’s often impossible to know, absent a major scandal, whom to blame for rules that are abusive or nonsensical.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/t...c1_story_1.html

Great, but troublesome article.

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Quote: sneakypete wrote in post #8

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Quote: Olivia wrote in post #1

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The rise of the fourth branch has been at the expense of Congress’s lawmaking authority. In fact, the vast majority of “laws” governing the United States are not passed by Congress but are issued as regulations, crafted largely by thousands of unnamed, unreachable bureaucrats. One study found that in 2007, Congress enacted 138 public laws, while federal agencies finalized 2,926 rules, including 61 major regulations.
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This rulemaking comes with little accountability. It’s often impossible to know, absent a major scandal, whom to blame for rules that are abusive or nonsensical.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/t...c1_story_1.html

Great, but troublesome article.

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"At Congress's expense"?????? Are you freaking kidding me? Who the hell do you think is responsible for these bureaucracies having the authority to pass "administrative regulations with the force of law"? Note the language used. It is used to cover for the illegality of anyone BUT Congress making federal laws. Lawmaking is the sole reason Congress exists. It's why they are elected. Almost all of them want cover to keep themselves from being held responsible by voters for any unpopular laws they might vote on and approve so allowing unelected nameless and faceless bureaucrats do their dirty work for them so they can hold up their hands and shake their heads and say "Not MY fault! Don't blame it on ME because I never voted for it!" come election time.

Remember all the major laws like the new Office of Reich Security that were passed with congressmen explaining it wasn't their fault the unpopular things were happening because "the bill was so big I didn't have time to read it."? He didn't have time to read it because he was playing golf with political contributors or meeting with other congressmen on some scheme or another that would benefit all of them personally.

If Congressmen don't have the time to read the bills they are voting on,they shouldn't vote on them,period.

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Quote: W-Girl wrote in post #2

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The opinion of Jonathan Turley is respected by the Liberal elites .....as more shoes (or high heels) drop ....Obama's second term & legacy hangs in the balance !!

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Quote: W-Girl wrote in post #2

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The opinion of Jonathan Turley is respected by the Liberal elites .....as more shoes (or high heels) drop ....Obama's second term & legacy hangs in the balance !!

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