# Obama and his "czars"... **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 13, 2009, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667 "2009-06-13T16:04:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/21 "2009-06-13T20:17:26Z")
> [@squeekster](#): > > When did the executive branch receive the power to bail out private business with taxpayer money without a vote of the people, then take over the private business they bailed out and dictate to them what they would do, how they would do it, how many of their stores could remain open and how much their executives would be allowed to make? Exactly what date did that happen? Because somewhere along the line, I must have missed it. The people voted for Congress. Congress voted on the bailouts. See how that works? It called “representative democracy”. It’s how our republic gets things done without holding a special election for every piece of legislation that is proposed. Don’t like the bailout? Vote for a congressman and two senators who agree with you. Power to the people! ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/22 "2009-06-13T20:19:25Z")
> [@squeekster](#): > > I realize that this is a rather liberal board, but maybe someone can tell me this. > > When did the executive branch receive the power to bail out private business with taxpayer money without a vote of the people, then take over the private business they bailed out and dictate to them what they would do, how they would do it, how many of their stores could remain open and how much their executives would be allowed to make? Exactly what date did that happen? Because somewhere along the line, I must have missed it. \*South Dakota v Dole \*(1987) This SCOTUS decision allows the federal government wide discretion in legislation by pursestrings as long as it serves a public interest. “But wait, Cad!” you say. “The ‘public interest’ that the Federal government is allowed is limited by the Tenth Amendment.” Ever since the switch in time that saved nine (SCOTUS’s change in policy and completely ignoring stare decises (sp?) after the FDR court packing scheme) in 1937 starting with _West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish_, the Tenth Amendment has been de facto repealed. As for a nationwide vote, the is no allowances for that in the Constitution for either a proposition or referendum process. I believe that _Clinton v. City of New York_ (1998) could easily be expanded to cover the unconstitutionality of such a process. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/23 "2009-06-13T20:35:17Z")
> [@SaintCad](#): > > Has the Senate approved these appointments or allowed them by law? If so, who cares if he has 500 “czars”. If not, then Obama is violating the Constitution. In some cases. In others, they’re White House staff that don’t require senate confirmation. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/24 "2009-06-13T20:38:40Z")
> [@squeekster](#): > > Can anyone list one good reason why Obama feels the need to appoint so many different “Czars”? These “Czars” don’t have to answer to _ANYONE_ but him. Not the Congress. Not the Senate. Certainly not the PEOPLE. These select few can tell people how much they can earn, what car they will drive…the list goes on. And what they decree can not be appealed in any way. > > For the life of me, I can only think of one reason for these positions. **UNHINDERED CONTROL AT THE HANDS OF A DICTATOR**. > > What say all of you? Where do you get the idea that some mid-level White House staffer is telling you what car you will drive? If this is indeed the case, what specific car are we being told to drive, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/25 "2009-06-13T20:44:18Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Where do you get the idea that some mid-level White House staffer is telling you what car you will drive? If this is indeed the case, what specific car are we being told to drive, anyway? White cars; Obama is turning us into a white carnation. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/26 "2009-06-13T20:45:28Z")
> [@squeekster](#): > > For the life of me, I can only think of one reason for these positions. **UNHINDERED CONTROL AT THE HANDS OF A DICTATOR**. > > What say all of you? I say we should require an IQ test to vote. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/27 "2009-06-13T21:04:38Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > In some cases. In others, they’re White House staff that don’t require senate confirmation. Do White House staff czars have any power in implementing policy (violates the Constitution if not confirmed by Senate or by law as per previous post, blah blah blah if rash develops discontinue use) or are they merely advisors. Honest question as I really don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/28 "2009-06-13T21:10:52Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > The PEOPLE get to HOLD elections every four years, so I’m pretty SURE the “Czars” have to answer to _SOMEONE_. > > Also, while I HAVEN’T been FOLLOWING the appointments as CLOSELY as I’d like, I’m pretty _SURE_ that none have **UNHINDERED CONTROL** to tell me what KIND of car I can drive or what KIND of income I can earn. > > Since I PASSED basic high school CIVICS, I’m aware that the PRESIDENT is in charge of the EXECUTIVE branch – the branch of government charged with EXECUTING the laws. As such, all presidents have had great DISCRETION (though Clinton was rather lacking in that department) to FREELY appoint sub-cabinet staff to ADMINISTER various aspects of his ADMINISTRATION. That Bara_c_k **“HUSSEIN”** Obama is appointing CAPABLE people to carry out his WILL under the confines and constraints of the LEGISLATION that set up the various administrations a GOOD THING. > > If one of his “Czars” does order SOMEONE to do something, that SOMEONE will have what is called “STANDING” to challenge Barry’s AUTHORITY to make such an order. At that point the “COURTS” will determine whether the AUTHORITY is vested in CONSTITUTIONAL presidential powers or LEGISLATIVELY granted powers. If no such authority EXISTS, the courts will NULLIFY the LAW – which will either be called ACTIVISM if don’t agree with the outcome or CORRECT if you do. CONGRESS can also act to curtail PRESIDENTIAL authority in many areas. These are just a FEW of the CHECKS AND BALANCES ON DICTATORSHIP THAT EXIST IN NON-AM RADIO AMERICA. I’m afraid I have to forward this to the Random Capitalization Czar. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/29 "2009-06-13T21:14:21Z")
> [@SaintCad](#): > > Do White House staff czars have any power in implementing policy (violates the Constitution if not confirmed by Senate or by law as per previous post, blah blah blah if rash develops discontinue use) or are they merely advisors. > > Honest question as I really don’t know. If you are interested in the topic in general, you may find skimming through the [Plum Book](http://www.gpoaccess.gov/plumbook/) (United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions) fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/30 "2009-06-13T21:21:58Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Wikipedia is of no help. It says Nixon had a “Drugs Czar”, but also says Biden first coined the term in 1982. Maybe they are using the term retroactively in Nixon’s case…? No, I thought I remember Simon as ‘Energy Czar’ because Doonesbury made a big deal of it. [This article from Time](http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,917981,00.html) references him as such in 1972. So, shockingly, wikipedia is dodgy on the timeline. Here’s a timeline [http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/retro/timeline/1970.html](http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/retro/timeline/1970.html) It says it happens in 1974. It may be a case where Truedeau introduced the meaning to the discussion and it stuck. That’d be a hoot. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/31 "2009-06-13T21:24:04Z")
You too, Jonathan? I was trying to find the cartoon, and gave up. Anyhow, SaintCad, the ones who have the power were ratified by senate, those who are mere advisors were appointed. The term is just a shorthand for ‘that guy over there who’s the top guy about this.’ ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/32 "2009-06-13T21:26:10Z")
The proliferation of czars concerns me. Soon we shall need a Czar Czar. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/33 "2009-06-13T21:47:16Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > The proliferation of czars concerns me. Soon we shall need a Czar Czar. May God bless and keep the Czars…far away from us! ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/34 "2009-06-13T21:51:14Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > The proliferation of czars concerns me. Soon we shall need a Czar Czar. The head of business development for Obama: “Biz-Czar”. The head of the department of agriculture; sheep division: “Baa-Czar” The head of the Navy: “Sea Czar” The head of Communist Affairs: “Der Commie Czar” The nurse who takes his vitals during a checkup: “Pulse Czar”. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/35 "2009-06-13T21:53:55Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > The head of business development for Obama: “Biz-Czar”. > The head of the department of agriculture; sheep division: “Baa-Czar” > The head of the Navy: “Sea Czar” > The head of Communist Affairs: “Der Commie Czar” > The nurse who takes his vitals during a checkup: “Pulse Czar”. Please don’t derail this thread with your Czarcastic posts. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/36 "2009-06-13T22:08:08Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > The head of business development for Obama: “Biz-Czar”. > The head of the department of agriculture; sheep division: “Baa-Czar” > The head of the Navy: “Sea Czar” > The head of Communist Affairs: “Der Commie Czar” > The nurse who takes his vitals during a checkup: “Pulse Czar”. Oh czar, har, har. ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/37 "2009-06-13T22:14:21Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > The proliferation of czars concerns me. Soon we shall need a Czar Czar. I suggest Zsa Zsa Gabor to become Czar Czar. She’ll be known as Czar Czar Zsa Zsa Gabor. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/38 "2009-06-13T23:28:28Z")
That was funny, but isn’t she dead? Maybe Jar Jar Binks is available… ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/39 "2009-06-14T00:11:36Z")
> [@SaintCad](#): > > Do White House staff czars have any power in implementing policy (violates the Constitution if not confirmed by Senate or by law as per previous post, blah blah blah if rash develops discontinue use) or are they merely advisors. > > Honest question as I really don’t know. But the thing is, “czar” isn’t really a job, it’s a description used by the media to describe someone in the executive who is in charge of policy for just about anything. Some of them are in charge of policy, some are advisers, etc. And a lot (most?) of the people in the St Pete Times article above referred to as Czar’s have jobs that required senate confirmation. ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667/40 "2009-06-14T01:32:31Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > That was funny, but isn’t she dead? Maybe Jar Jar Binks is available… She’s still alive. [Link](http://www.freewebs.com/gaborfamilygoestohollywood/zsazsabio.htm) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-his-czars/499667.md?page=3)