S. 679: Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011
By debrakcarey
@debrakcarey (19887)
United States
May 14, 2011 5:29pm CST
While our attention has been focused elsewhere on things like bin Laden's death and the upcoming presidential candidates and the release of the birth cerificate, look whats been on the table in Congress. Seems they're about to vote themselves out of a job....well, almost.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-679
sponsored by: Sen. Charles Schumer [D-NY]
Lamar Alexander [R-TN]
Jeff Bingaman [D-NM]
Richard Blumenthal [D-CT]
Scott Brown [R-MA]
Thomas Carper [D-DE]
Susan Collins [R-ME] Richard Durbin [D-IL]
Mike Johanns [R-NE]
Jon Kyl [R-AZ]
Joseph Lieberman [I-CT]
Richard Lugar [R-IN]
Mitch McConnell [R-KY] John Reed [D-RI]
Harry Reid [D-NV]
Sheldon Whitehouse [D-RI]
Text of Bill:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s112-679
So, is this one more step to a dictatorship as many around the world are suggesting?
http://noisyroom.net/blog/2011/05/08/senate-seeks-to-create-caesar/
While I agree that government should be streamlined and efficient, is this the way to go about accomplishing that?
5 people like this
6 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
15 May 11
Yeh, that pesky constitution does clog government up doesn't it. Why bother with congressional approval of appointees when we can stream line it and just skip that whole part.
Well, the good thing is it will never see the light of day when it reaches the house of representatives (hopfuly).
2 people like this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
15 May 11
Did you notice that 7 Republicans are co sponsors?
2 people like this
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
15 May 11
In the first place, the government was not designed to be streamlined and effiecient, and that was deliberate. That is why there are 3 branches oif government, and that is why it takes so much effort to get anything passed.
The Founders wanted deliberation and thought in everything the government did, not this ramming things through like 0bamacare and the whole reaching across the aisle just to get along.
When the government is deadlocked is when it is working as designed, for that is when Statesmanship is required, which is what we need in government and not career rubberstamp politicians.
In answer to your question... yes ... this is just one more step of many towards the dictatorship that the liberals and commies in government so keenly desire.
1 person likes this
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
15 May 11
The move didn't take long, but getting everything up and running took longer than I thought it would.
We haven't seen a good housecleaning since 1776 either. It's about time for another one.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
15 May 11
I agree, and to have to say that is pretty scary. I never thought I'd see the day, or that the day would ever come. But, it seems to be on the horizon. I will do my best to remain optimistic with the upcoming elections. And campaign real hard for Herman Cain and if he doesn't get the nomination, for who ever ISN'T Obama.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
15 May 11
And we still think we're going to have some say. Eternal optimism or head in the sand?
Statesmanship? We haven't seen that in a generation.
Glad you're back destiny. 
1 person likes this
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
16 May 11
How about streamline the government by increasing the number of congressmen. Keeping the same budget go back to 1 congressman for each 3500 people. It would be so big that only the most important items would get passed. There would be so many different view points that the process grinds to a halt and we are better off with a government that can do very little.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
16 May 11
Good thing or bad thing? If nothing got passed, that might be good. But then Obama might take it into his head to sign more executive orders, bad thing!
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
16 May 11
Shumer is just one of many Democrats in Congress who seeks to pave the road smooth in front of his fearless leader, to make his way easier and prevent any upstart dissenters in Congress preventing Obama from achieving all his policy goals. This includes the prospect of any of his appointees being examined or rejected.
Skirting the Constitution should bother the conscience of any member of Congress, regardless of party affiliation. Suddenly, it becomes easier to understand how dictators manage to wrest so much power for themselves over time until there is nothing anyone can do about it. They always have ridiculously short-sighted minions who are only too willing to help.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
16 May 11
Are any of those Republicans who co sponsored this newly elected in the last election I wonder?
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
15 May 11
What the hell are they thinking? I didn't think even Shumer would be stupid enough to give away power like that and restrict everyone's choices still further. If this passes it won't be long before Congress is obsolete and all representation is abolished in the interest of "streamlining" gov't. 4 more years of Obama and I can see that coming about. One of the last things he'll do if gets another term is to abolish term limits.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
15 May 11
No, but he's been trampling the constitution for nearly 3 years. I'm wondering when people will wake up or if it will eventually come to an armed uprising once people realize how much they have lost. By then it will be too late.
We'll just have to push our reps harder to stand up for our rights.
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
• United States
16 May 11
I think this could be a simple case of trying to avoid accountability down the line. As in "We didn't have anything to do with approving that appointment that turned out to be a pure evil human being".
Nobody wants to be blamed for anything in Washington anymore.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
16 May 11
You may have a point there. And I agree, there's no accountability at all. Especially in the Oval Office.
1 person likes this
