Who Has the Real Power in D.C.?

Who has the real power in Washington, D.C.? Some would argue that the majority party does. They’d be wrong. Some would argue the longest serving legislators, especially those of the majority party, have the real power. They, too, would be wrong. Perhaps some would argue the President’s Senior Advisor has the real power or perhaps lobbyists. Again, both would be incorrect.
The real power in the Federal Government belongs to the Federal Agencies. While elected officials routinely appear in front of the cameras and on Sunday morning talk shows to spout rehearsed talking points with pomposity, the unelected members within Federal Agencies don’t worry about such a waste of their time.
They aren’t looking for your vote to keep their job. They don’t particularly care whether the Democrats or Republicans gain a majority or take the Presidency. The 2 million federal employees will be in power long after any member of Congress or the current President has retired and left the nation’s capitol. Not since Reagan has an election resulted in disturbing their assumed power.
If you doubt the power wielded by Federal Agencies, consider a recent report on NPR, not known for its conservative take on issues, entitled “Federal Agencies to Iron Out Health Care Details.” The report pointed out that the Democrats’ historic legislation doesn’t actually provide any details as far as how it will work. That will be left to the bureaucrats.
When Democrats enacted the most partisan bill in a generation, they facilitated the greatest assumption of civil authority in U.S. history at the same time. Although they didn’t get their single-pay option, the Democrats, through regulation, maneuvered the insurance into becoming a quasi-government entity just like Freddie Mac and Fannie May. That should raise the hair on everyone’s neck.
The Democrats delegated the details to the more than a hundred new Federal Agencies that will be formed as a result of their legislation. The end result is the permanent and costly expansion of government. The bill provides $10 billion to hire over 16,000 new IRS agents who will ensure “compliance.” An army of federal employees are being hired to enforce whatever rules each new agency ultimately establishes. And the taxpayer gets to pick up the ongoing bill to house, furnish, supply and staff each on of these agencies.
A common complaint is that nothing ever changes in DC. Americans vote, many spend time beforehand reading up on issues and listening to candidates. Yet, no matter which party wins, the Federal government continues to grow. And with that growth also grows regulations that choke entrepreneurial opportunity.
Americans want their youth to study the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. It would be more realistic to teach them there are, in fact, two governments. One is made up of those elected who posture in front of camera in their self-perceived importance. The other is the bureaucracies to which the elected clowns have willingly surrendered most of their authority. In the long run, young people might be better served to learn how to maneuver through the chaos of federal bureaucracies that Congress has burdened them with.
Posted by LG 04/02/2010