Pelosi and Waxman introduce Anti-Cronyism Act

[texpatriot2004]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, Congressman Henry A. Waxman and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi introduced the Anti-Cronyism and Public Safety Act, which would prohibit the President from appointing unqualified individuals to critical public safety positions in the government.

"President Bush has handed out some of the country's most difficult and important jobs - leadership positions in public safety and emergency response - to politically well-connected individuals with no experience or qualifications," Rep. Waxman said. "This common sense legislation will end this practice and ensure that public safety is back in the hands of those who are trained and experienced in protecting the public."

<snip>

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=54082

[redqueen]

1. Have they introduced an anti war profiteering act?

[AllyCat]

2. Good. And good luck.

There is no hope of this getting traction with our somnolent press and a Repuke controlled Congress. But it's a great idea and it's good to see them doing something about it.

[caledesi]

3. Meanwhile, Brownie is still working for FEMA! Incredible! nt

[pbartch]

16. yeh but some of those Republicans that were reaming out Brown

didn't seem too happy with him today.

I think most everyone hates Brown's guts.....Dems and GOPs.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Just for fun

I think I'll phone my repuke conman and ask him to support this bill-and to explain to me if he does not. I'm assuming he'll come up with some excuse-but I'll keep the letter and send it to his Democratic opponant in 2006.

[Igel]

5. Here's a fun link a couple of clicks (starting with Google) turned up.

http://www.voluntarytrade.org/downloads/Brown_ConfirmHrg.pdf

It's the confirmation hearing transcript for Brown:
17 Senators were members, and there was some staff, but only Lieberman, Akaka, Bunning, and Bennett actually showed up.

Nighthorse Campbell and Wayne Allard were witnesses. Presumably both in favor of him. Nighthorse Campbell called him an "outstanding gentleman" early on in the transcript.

We had a mechanism that would have prevented the cronyism that got Brown hired in 2002. It's called the U.S. Senate.

On edit (after correcting a zillion typos): Lieberman was chair. Does that mean this was when the Senate was still at least nominally dem controlled?

[melissinha]

12. This was for Deputy Director, Akaka seemed skeptical

What a bunch of ass kissing and commendations of his experience (they knew about eh Arabian Horse thing)

There didn't seem to be a vote.... THe most skeptical was Akaka.... Wonder what he has to say to day, he had some very valid points....


So are we to assume that he just moved up the ladder from this pathetic hearing? Screw Lieberman.

[Igel]

13. Yes. He got the job through cronyism,

with our ever lovely senators rubber stamping him. It should have been stopped then.

Then, after a couple of years there, he was promoted up.

I wonder if he had a second confirmation hearing?

[calimary]

6. It'll never fly, but I'm damned glad they did. That's MY guy, Henry

"The Righteous" Waxman there. He is never anything less than TERRIFIC - at least I have some pride in my representation. I don't have a president but my congressman rocks, as does at least one of my senators - Ms. Boxer that is. Feinstein - eh - so-so for the most part. At least she voted against Roberts. Otherwise, she's a bit too much of a capitulator.

[Roland99]

7. Pretty sad something like this needs to be legislated.

[atommom]

8. Even if it doesn't fly this time, they need to keep bringing it up,

over and over and over. This is very important.

[safi0]

11. Not saying its right,

But Presidents always do this. Its just none have done it to the extent of Bush. Presidents will give there cronies jobs like Ambassador to Bermuda, or Lichtenstein. Putting one of these guys in charge of FEMA is completely riddiculous.

[atommom]

15. Of course, it happens all the time in business and politics.

It's just that Bush seems to have gone out of his way NOT to appoint qualified people. It looks as though he doesn't care how his appointees perform ... and that's very bad leadership.

[indepat]

9. Pukes are likely to vote for for this Act in virtual lockstep

[longship]

10. Won't it be difficult to put criteria on this?

This may be a good bill, but I think it is a lousy replacement for the Senate doing their duty. Drownie Brownie was approved by the Senate. That's where he should have been stopped.

[lynne]

14. My thoughts exactly -

- the president merely nominates. It's the Senate that does the approving and gives them the job.