Bush to create Politburo at US Agencies

According to reports published in yesterday's papers, President Bush last week ordered Federal Agencies to have a political overseer to review any agency rules or regulations politically, before the rules or guidances can be released, and, ultimately, no matter what the agency's career staffs might recommend.

The NY Times reports that "each agency must have a regulatory policy office run by a political appointee to supervise the development of rules and documents providing guidance to regulated industries."

Here is more about how these politicos will be manipulating the lawmaking process:

Typically, agencies issue regulations under authority granted to them in laws enacted by Congress. In many cases, the statute does not say precisely what agencies should do, giving them considerable latitude in interpreting the law and developing regulations.

The directive issued by Bush says that, in deciding whether to issue regulations, federal agencies must identify "the specific market failure" or problem that justifies government intervention.

Besides placing political appointees in charge of rule making, Bush said agencies must give the White House an opportunity to review "any significant guidance documents" before they are issued.

It sounds to me like the Bush administration has realized that Congress is now in Democratic hands, and that new laws and regs are coming. This way, similarly to Bush's signing statements, he will find ways to thwart the legislative intent of our elected representatives.

It feels downright Stalinist to me.

peace.