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Friday, January 13, 2012

2012 President Obama Seeks Power to Streamline Government: A Slog Poll

Posted by Paul Constant on Fri, Jan 13, 2012 at 10:54 AM

This is one case where I think President Obama stealing conservative ideas could be a good thing:

Stepping firmly onto Republican turf, President Barack Obama announced Friday that he will ask Congress for the power to merge agencies to streamline government and improve efficiency...First up on Obama’s list: the merger of the Commerce Department, the Small Business Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade representative and other independent business agencies into a new, unnamed Cabinet agency to create a more efficient experience for businesses.

Virtually every Republican candidate has some item on their platform that resembles this proposal, and they're probably right to focus on streamlining: The federal government needs some simpler way to manage inefficiencies within itself. While the presidency doesn't need any more powers, Congress simply doesn't have any authority when it comes to managing government efficiency.

Comments (11) RSS

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If you want a few thousand good reasons to kill yourself, read the comments on the Yahoo News version of this story.

Posted by rejemy on January 13, 2012 at 11:07 AM

"Congress simply doesn't have any authority when it comes to managing government efficiency"???

Congress has almost all the authority. The Executive can propose, but Congress disposes, budgets, appropriates, structures, confirms, audits, and holds to account.

Posted by RonK, Seattle on January 13, 2012 at 11:15 AM

Didn't the president have this ability, but it was taken away under Ronald Reagan? While I agree that this particular merger would be beneficial, I do fear what would happen if a republican president decided to use this ability to, say, combine the Department of Education and the Department of Public Welfare.

Posted by Schweighsr on January 13, 2012 at 11:19 AM

It's just political window dressing. He's got the right, but it's not driven by any organizational efficiency.

Like in our own backwater town, McGinn eviscerating Office of Housing by shoving it under Office of Economic Development. The boss marks his territory, making civil servants scramble for shelter.

Posted by gloomy gus on January 13, 2012 at 11:19 AM

On one hand it seems we’re moving closer to having an elected king.

On the other hand, it seems dictators are more productive.

Posted by Allyn on January 13, 2012 at 11:21 AM

Surest way to get Republicans to turn on one of their own ideas is for Democrats to embrace it. Remember the Individual Mandate....?

Posted by Citizen R on January 13, 2012 at 11:25 AM

This is a bad idea.

Finding ways to be more efficient is good. Putting more power in the hands of one person (the president) is bad. This country was formed with a clear notion of separation of powers and a balance of power between the legislative, executive, and judiciary. In recent decades, more and more power has been ceded to the president. No one thing by itself is all that bad, but terrible harm could be done if too much power is vested in the president, and someone truly awful was elected. Obama might theoretically use this power to help. A president Santorum or Paul might do irreparable harm.

Posted by Reverse Polarity on January 13, 2012 at 11:25 AM

After having TSA foisted on us, in part, as an effort towards efficiency, I will play wait and see regarding this.

Posted by palamedes on January 13, 2012 at 11:25 AM

@3, @4, @7 -- POTUS doesn't have the power to merge agencies, never had the power to morege agencies, and won't have the power to merge agencies if Obama gets his way.

Obama is asking for "fast track" authority, meaning Congress would have to dispose of proposed mergers by up-or-down vote (similar to Base Realignment and Closing Commission recommendations ... or the ill-fated SuperCommittee's deficit reduction plans).

Posted by RonK, Seattle on January 13, 2012 at 11:43 AM

First item: do not reinforce the perception that Republicans have a monopoly on improving government efficiency. There is no more evidence to that effect than they have to the badge of superior leadership in foreign affairs and military issues. It rolls right into the hands of those who would wish to portray democrats as always wanting more government, bigger government.

If its a good idea and has the potential to serve our country better, it is a democratic idea.

Actually, only item.

Posted by give me pom on January 13, 2012 at 12:01 PM