Whether you live in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Washington, Wyoming or states in between. Whether you are a civilian or active duty military, if you are concened --and you ought to be--do you know or care who your US Senators have chosen to vet nominees for federal judges, federal court administration, federal judicial committees, Federal Marshals, HUD regional directors, SBA, Small Business Administrator, HUD/ Regional Directors and US Attorneys?
These "vettors" also have been placed on federal court administation selection commitees to select administrators for the federal courts. This aspect of vetting and federal job appointments is one of the least known in American political life.Perhaps now, critics will know why some of the federal courts behave the way that they do, such as the scandals in the 9th federal circuit.
Or do you know who is going to be appointed by your senators or has been appointed by your senators to nominate federal appointees for the President to nominate, appoint and the senate to confirm?
Do you know anything about the competency, ethics, experience of any of these vettors? The most recent public corruption example beinrg repeated is that of Angela Bradstreet, a British lesbian activist, who was a Solicitor in Britain. For Americans unfamiliar with the solicitor profession, view the excellent BBC series Prime Suspect.This spoils system is legal, and it is the right of every US President to nominate, appoint and even fire federal appointees and holdovers from a previous adminsitration.
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The Federal Appointments Process: A Constitutional and Historical ...Article from: Presidential Studies Quarterly Article date: Author: More results for: |
The Federal Appointments Process: A Constitutional and Historical Analysis. By Michael J. Gerhardt. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2000. 400 pp.
[The president] shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of
the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls,
Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States,
whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall
be established by Law.
--U.S. Constitution
It is this clause in the Constitution that is central to Michael J. Gerhardt's comprehensive study of the federal appointments process.
To be continued . . .