# Just what is so scary or unconstitutional about the Obama Admin's "czars"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 3, 2009, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724 "2009-09-03T04:25:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/21 "2009-09-03T16:58:34Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I say he should have appointed “Commissars.” Don’t turn around, uh oh … ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/22 "2009-09-03T17:14:59Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Don’t turn around, uh oh … 😃 I’m gonna have that song stuck in my head all day today. Thanks! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/23 "2009-09-03T17:49:00Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > I had someone explain to me, with a straight face, during the Cold War, that the word literally was derived from “Commie (=Communist) Czar.” FTR, [commissars](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commissar) were political officers of the Bolshevik, later Communist, Party. From the Russian Civil War onwards, every military unit had one assigned (though the word “commissar” eventually fell out of use) – partly to keep the troops properly indoctrinated in Marxist-Leninist ideology, but mainly to keep an eye on the commanding officers. That system emerged in the Civil War: The Bolsheviks needed a Red Army and fast to fight the White counterrevolutionaries, but the only experienced officers available were men, many of aristocratic background, who had been officers under the Tsar. Many of those were indeed willing to serve under the Bolsheviks, but the Bolsheviks, for obvious reasons, did not entirely trust them; so they assigned commissars to watch them. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/24 "2009-09-03T18:13:56Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I[The term “czar” has been applied to various kinds of U.S. officials, not all of them executive-branch, since the 1940s.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._executive_branch_%27czars%27) Looking at that list, I’m rather disappointed that no one ever mentions the AIDS [Tsaritsa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsaritsa). ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/25 "2009-09-03T18:21:58Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Note that the method of identifying a czar on that list is “a person refered to at least once by the media as a czar”. Which is why it’s silly to complain about the number of “czars” a President has, the term doesn’t have any sort of official meaning, its just media short-hand for “person in the Executive Branch in charge of X”. It’s use doesn’t really tell us much about Oh no! A czar got him before he could complete his sentence! ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/26 "2009-09-03T23:56:23Z")
We have had drug czars for a long time. It is not new. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/27 "2009-09-04T01:24:54Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > the AIDS [Tsaritsa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsaritsa). I thought it was sleeping sickness you got from tsaritsas. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/28 "2009-09-04T01:40:15Z")
Are the women dept. heads Czarinas? ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/29 "2009-09-04T03:11:55Z")
You know who else… Aw, crap. Someone beat me to it. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/30 "2009-09-04T03:12:02Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > You know who else had lots of Czars? > > HITLER! > > (oh, wait, never mind.) But then…he’ll soon start appointing KAISERS!!! ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/31 "2009-09-04T03:16:35Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > But then…he’ll soon start appointing KAISERS!!! And who in this administration would fill the Kaiser role? ---
**Author:** ![StaudtCJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@StaudtCJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StaudtCJ)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/32 "2009-09-04T04:33:12Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > And who in this administration would fill the Kaiser role? The meatheads would obviously fill them. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/33 "2009-09-04T04:33:13Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > And who in this administration would fill the Kaiser role? Kaiser Permanente could take over the health insurance program. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/34 "2009-09-04T04:34:32Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > And who in this administration would fill the Kaiser role? Sounds like this would fill it perfectly: [http://www.thefreshloaf.com/recipes/kaiserrolls](http://www.thefreshloaf.com/recipes/kaiserrolls) \*Kaiser Rolls Makes 8-12 rolls, depending on how large you like them 3 1/2-4 cups (1 lb.) bread or unbleached all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon malt powder 1 tablespoon shortening, butter, or oil 1 egg 1 egg white 1 1/4 cups (10 oz.) water - ---
**Author:** ![Charger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df788c/32.png) [@Charger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charger)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/35 "2009-09-04T04:58:37Z")
Czar is too scary a word. I propose that we start calling them Tsar. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/36 "2009-09-04T05:14:51Z")
I hereby declare myself Great Khan of the Internet. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/37 "2009-09-04T05:19:39Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Kaiser Permanente could take over the health insurance program. But only temporarily. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/38 "2009-09-04T05:38:15Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > I had someone explain to me, with a straight face, during the Cold War, that the word literally was derived from “Commie (=Communist) Czar.” I used to think that. When I was a child. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/39 "2009-09-04T14:01:56Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > I hereby declare myself Great Khan of the Internet. :mad: **KKKKHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN!!!** ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724/40 "2009-09-04T14:28:53Z")
Well, both Czar and Kaiser are derived from “Caesar”. “Ceasarism” was a major political charge around the turn of the last century, during the Teddy Roosevelt administration. It was roughly equivalent to the charge of an “Imperial Presidency” during the Nixon administration. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724.md?page=3)