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Bureaucracy is a Key Element of any Democracy

ArchPundit July 11, 2007 1 Comment

Speaking of cats and dogs, David makes a key point about Shimkus’ view on bureaucracy is telling and points towards Chris Hayes’ article on the value of bureaucracy in democratic government.

After all, what could be a more absurd example of mindless red tape than a midnight drive to a hospital to obtain…a supervisor’s signature? But the moral of the Comey story specifically, and of the failures of the Bush Administration more broadly, is the sublime value of bureaucracy. Not only is governance of any kind impossible without it; so too are the checks and balances of a constitutional republic. Red tape is what binds those in power to the mast of the law, what stands in the way of government by whim. That’s why an Administration hostile to any checks and balances has sought to reconstitute the federal civil service as just another lever in its machine.

Bureaucracy in a democracy is primarily bound by the law.  We’ve spent the time since World War II building up  bureaucratic responsiveness to  democratic  influences–most notably the Administrative Procedures Act that nearly all, if not all states, have copied.

When bureaucracy ‘doesn’t work’ it’s not generally some inherent flaw in bureaucracy itself, but the rules under which they work designed by Congress to make the bureaucracy responsive to them and the public as a whole. That’s a good thing. It means they are following the law.  Efficiency is a goal to certainly make very important, but not efficiency to sacrifice democratic responsiveness.

The Radicals of Northbrook

ArchPundit July 10, 2007 1 Comment

Concerned Kirk thinks the election is going to be about immigration:

The same was true for Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). In the six parades he attended on July 4 and in individual meetings, he found that the only topic that could compare with immigration in intensity was a spat between statehouse Democrats.

“There was an overwhelming desire throughout the district to secure our borders before any immigration reform proposals move forward,” Kirk said.

Iraq Veteran Denied Entry to Kirk Event Despite Buying Ticket

ArchPundit July 10, 2007 6 Comments

North Suburban Residents Rally Outside Chamber of Commerce Event Highlighting Costs of Iraq War
Northbrook, Illinois – Citizens of Congressman Mark Kirk’s district (IL – 10) today were rallying outside a luncheon where the Congressman was the slated keynote speaker when Iraq veteran Josh Lansdale was denied entry by event organizers despite having previously purchased a ticket online.  When Lansdale, the Iraq Summer campaign’s Illinois Veterans Organizer, identified himself as a member of AAEI, he was told his name was not on the list even after producing his order confirmation for the ticket.  He was told the event was sold out and he could not purchase a second ticket, but organizers continued selling tickets to other people at the door.

Lansdale approached Congressman Kirk as he arrived, identified himself as an Iraq war veteran and asked Congressman Kirk to explain his position on the Iraq war.  Congressman Kirk replied, “Have fun in Washington.”

Lansdale tried to approach Congressman Kirk as he left the event to try once again to get an answer to his question, but he was blocked by Congressman Kirk’s aides.

“Congressman Kirk should be focused on bringing the troops home from Iraq, not disrespecting Iraq veterans and ducking war opponents,” said Lansdale.  “He should not underestimate the opposition to his continued support for the President’s failed Iraq policy.  Congressman Kirk needs to be a leader and have the courage to stand up to the President, not blindly follow his failed policy of endless war.  If Congressman Kirk is going to try and hide from everyone who’s calling for an end to the war in Iraq, he’s going to be a pretty lonely guy.”

Congressman Kirk was scheduled to speak about needed funds for local infrastructure improvements.  Outside the event local activists, including Northbrook Chamber of Commerce member David Borris, made sure the facts were known about how the cost of the Iraq War is holding up domestic spending initiatives that could help American businesses.  The non-partisan Congressional Research Service released a report this week revealing that President Bush’s escalation is costing U.S. taxpayers $12 billion per month.

“It is outrageous that our Congressman continues to support this reckless war while urgent priorities are left unattended to here at home,” said the local business owner Borris.  “He is either unaware of the lives, dollars and American prestige that this tragic mistake has cost, or he simply does not care. Either way, he has a responsibility to represent the over 65% of the voters who want a real plan to bring our troops home.”

Matt Lowry, a Lake Forest teacher, added, “How effective can Congressman Kirk be at bringing funds to the district when $441 billion is spent on this reckless war in Iraq?”

Today’s rally was coordinated by the “Iraq Summer Campaign” a nationwide campaign organized by Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, which has dispatched nearly 100 organizers to the home states and districts of Republican Senators and Representatives who have opposed setting a timeline to end the war in Iraq.  The program is modeled on the “Freedom Summer” civil rights project.  Organizers are in fifteen states from Nevada to Maine, a total of 40 congressional districts.

Americans Against Escalation in Iraq is a major, multi-million dollar national campaign to oppose the President’s escalation of the Iraq war and work for the safe, responsible redeployment of American troops out of Iraq.  AAEI’s broad coalition is made up of SEIU, MoveOn.org Political Action, Center for American Progress Action Fund, USAction, Win Without War, Vote Vets, Campaign for America’s Future, USSA, Working Assets, Americans United for Change, Campus Progress Action, and American citizens across the country.

Concerned Kirk Runs Away

ArchPundit July 10, 2007 2 Comments

I probably would too with the number of video bloggers, but this isn’t an isolated incident with Republicans avoiding any discussion of the war.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/UEfGmOWqHqA" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Runaway! 

You see Mark Kirk is very concerned.  So concerned, he doesn’t do anything about it except continuing to vote with rightwing Republicans on just about every issue including the war.

Candidates–Contact Me

ArchPundit July 8, 2007 No Comments

If you are running a progressive, grass roots campaign, send me an e-mail concerning the the Yearly Kos Convention.

Actually activists, office holders, and bloggers too if I haven’t already contacted you, please drop me a note.

Yearly Kos—The Welcome Event

ArchPundit July 8, 2007 3 Comments

People for the American Way Midwest are holding a welcome event for those attending Yearly Kos on Wednesday, August 1st.  I’m on the host committee so come and meet me and several people who are actually cool.

On the Bright Side

ArchPundit July 5, 2007 8 Comments

Shimkus not teaching students this crap

“When I taught government and history,” Shimkus added, “by definition, what is the best form of government, the most simple, is a compassionate monarchy – a monarchy that loves and respects its citizens and … is able to make easy decisions without the weight of a bureaucracy we’d have to fund.”

Shimkus taught in a private high school before he was in Congress.

There is a reasonable argument about liberalism versus populism. In the Political Science literature, Ryker’s Liberalism versus Populism makes a case that liberalism is more realistic, and certainly Fareed Zakaria has talked about the importance of developing institutions and conditions for democracy to flourish.  There may be a need for transitional arrangements before going directly to elections and certainly, as in the United States, you limit democracy to not interfering with individual rights.
However, no one in the right fucking mind says the best form of government is a , the most simple, is a compassionate monarchy.

Inherent in such systems is corruption and censorship.  Even within a Constitutional Monarchy such as Great Britain’s before it became a democracy, people censored and thrown in jail without adequate due process.

Of course, even Great Britain respected Habeas Corpus.