In case you still love Ralph Nader…
I know. Mr. Thompson’s fears seem far-fetched, but what have we seen in the past six years? A friend in Boston uses the Martian analogy for problems like this. Had a Martian spent the last six years in this country, would the E.T. think Mr. Thompson off the mark?
Bush’s plan to destroy America
Posted By Doug Thompson On January 31, 2007
By DOUG THOMPSON
The absolute and unrelenting takeover of the government of the United States by a despot named George W. Bush continues - right under the noses of the new Democratic leadership of Congress and in outright defiance of the wishes of the American voters who sent a clear mandate for change in last year’s elections.
President George W. Bush(Reuters)
Bush recently made more moves to consolidate power in the executive branch, signing an order that requires key government agencies to place his political appointees in positions to control policy on health, environmental issues, civil rights and privacy.
These political hacks, appointed without review or approval of Congress, can now “interpret” the laws as they - or their President - see fit without regulatory oversight or a requirement to report to anyone.
Even worse, my White House sources tell me that Bush is putting into place a carefully-crafted plan to extend his power and influence over government policy long after he leaves office on January 20, 2009.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, at Bush’s direction, is advising cabinet secretaries to convert these political appointees to Senior Executive Service (SES) positions before Bush’s second term ends, giving hand-picked policy makers absolute authority even after the President leaves office.
SES positions are protected by federal civil service, so the policy makers could not be replaced by an incoming President - Democrat or Republican — who follows Bush.
My sources tell me Bush plans to place conservative zealots throughout federal agencies, give them authority to control policy for as long as they hold their jobs, and then convert those appointees to civil service positions that will continue to enforce his wishes for years to come.
Far-fetched? Not at all. Cabinet secretaries have long had the power to convert some key appointees to SES positions although - until Bush signed his executive order granting broad policy making powers to such appointees - they did not have the ability to continue a President’s programs long after he leaves office.
Bush is still hoping for at least one more vacancy on the Supreme Court before his second term ends, giving him a chance to control judicial rulings well into the next decade.
Please find the entire rant at Capitol Hill Blue.