Republicans are going nutz again! They are in an uproar against "Obama's Czars." Michelle Malkin and Glenn Beck are leading the charge. First, we have to remember that both Malkin and Beck are a bit unhinged. These nutcases are saying Obama is changing our country into Communists or Socialists or Marxists and Obama has created all of these phony titles/jobs so these Czars will serve him and they will not have to be approved by Congress. What a bunch of Baloney! There they go again, trying to delegitimize the President and scare the teabaggers to death!
HERE ARE THE FACTS: When we talk about Czars, you have to consider the fact that the term "CZAR" exists in our political culture solely as shorthand for the media to discuss individuals with complex portfolios and unwieldy titles. Czars are NOT new. These titles were used going back to the Reagan Administration. Many of these jobs DO go through Congress for approval. Something to think about: George W.Bush had 47 CZARs in his administration. President Obama has only 30.
Now let me give you an example of a so-called Czar:
The "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics" was dubbed the "Weapons Czar" by the Press. This is not a new job. This job was established in a previous administration, as were the CZARs I listed at the end of this message.
So the next time you hear a crazy wacko like Beck or Malkin or Hannity or Limbaugh, or your nutty teabagger neighbor say, "Obama is a Communist... Look at the Czars he annointed. What does he have, 50? What's up with that!" -- roll your eyes and walk away! Don't bother to explain anything to them because they never listen anyway! Rolling your eyes very, very slowly really helps!! (BTW, this is an actual quote from a teabagger! --at minute 1.50)
HERE ARE NAMES OF THE "CZARS" IN PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS Or Confirmed by Senate:
. “AIDS Czar” – Actually the Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, created in 2001 by George W. Bush. . “Border Czar” – Actually the Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Special Representative for Border Affairs, created in 2003 by George W. Bush. . “California Water Czar” – Actually the Deputy Secretary of the Interior, who was given this extra portfolio by Secretary Ken Salazar in June.
. “Central Region Czar” – The Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the “Central Region,” on the Nation Security Council.
. “Drug Czar” – Actually the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, created in 1989 by George H.W. Bush.
. “Faith-Based Czar” – Head of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, created in 2001 by George W. Bush.
. “Intelligence Czar” – This is actually the Director of National Intelligence, a position created in 2005.
. “TARP Czar” – Actually the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability of the United States Herb Allison, who was confirmed by the Senate in June.
Seems to me that Presidents throughout history have had advisors.
ReplyDeleteThat's what these guys are. The whack jobs have pinned the nick "czar" on them to scare people.
Czar = Communism, Facism,Socialism, dumbassism, mexenophobism, etc etc!