Ap u.s. government & politics Monday, February 12, 2018

Current events discussion 7 Minutes

Chapter 14 discussion

Who works for the federal government?

Who are the “Bureaucrats?” 97% are career government employees Only 10% live in the D.C. area 30% work for the D.O.D. Less than 15% work for social welfare agencies Most are white collar workers: secretaries, clerks, lawyers, inspectors & engineers Civil employees more diverse demographically than Congress

What Jobs Do Bureaucrats Do? Source: www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths/ClassActivities/ Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

Who supervises the federal bureaucracy?

Federal Bureaucracy President Congress Federal Bureaucracy Executive Office of the President (Ex: OMB, NSC) Independent Regulatory Commissions (Ex: FCC, SEC) Cabinet Departments (Ex: State, Defense) Independent Executive Agencies (Ex: CIA, NASA) Government Corporations (Ex: Amtrack, Postal Service)

The President Supervises the Bureaucracy The President can: appoint & remove agency heads and other high-level officials reorganize the bureaucracy issue executive orders recommend budget changes Donald Trump announces a partial freeze on hiring of federal workers (January 23, 2017)

Congress Oversees the Bureaucracy Congress can: create or abolish agencies & departments adjust agencies’ budgets investigate agency activities hold committee hearings pass legislation that alters an agency's functions influence or even fail to confirm presidential appointments Hillary Clinton testifies before the House Select Committee on Benghazi.

Federal Courts Check the Bureaucracy Federal courts can: through judicial review, rule on whether the bureaucracy has acted within the law and the U.S. Constitution provide due process for individuals affected by a bureaucratic action Supreme Court of the United States

Thinking Critically Why is the federal bureaucracy often referred to as “the fourth branch?” Some critics believe that the real power in the federal government lies with the federal bureaucracy. To what extent do you believe this is true?

Title: Federal Employees Self Esteem Class Artist: Chip Bok Date: unknown Source: http://www.reason.com/9602/bok.gif

Title: Another Layer of Bureaucracy Artist: Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant Date: February, 2006 Source: : http://www.politicalcartoons.com

Perceptions of the Bureaucrats Mr. Thomas G. Paperpusher works for the Agricultural Marketing Service; a division of the Marketing and Regulatory Programs branch of the United States Department of Agriculture. Mr. Paperpusher works on a “flex schedule,” meaning that he has every other Friday as an extra day off. On the days that he works, Mr. Paperpusher arrives at 9am, takes an hour break for lunch, and leaves the office promptly at 5pm. During the hours that he is at his desk, Mr. P is responsible for reviewing reports on the number of advertising dollars that have been spent on a variety of agricultural products over the past month, and entering the data into a government registry. He often takes several breaks during the day to smoke cigarettes and drink coffee. He also frequently checks his Facebook page and Espn.com in between reviewing reports. Thomas Paperpusher has worked for the Department of Agriculture for 22 years. He is paid at the G-12 federal government salary level, meaning that he makes $99,000 per year.

How do you feel about Mr. Thomas G. Paperpusher? Why do you think many people in the U.S. have a negative opinion of the federal bureaucracy? Do you think that the government is “too big” (too many employees; too many responsibilities)? Do you think the government is inefficient? Inept?

Exit Ticket: Practice MCQ An advantage that bureaucrats in federal government have over the President in the policy making process is that bureaucrats: a. Control the budgetary process. b. Have an independence from the President that is guaranteed by the Constitution. c. Find it easier to marshal public support than does the President. d. Usually have a continuity of service in the executive branch that the President lacks. e. Have better access to the media than does the president.

Homework Textbook, Chapter 13 Reading & Outline: Due Thursday Requiem, Chapter 6: Due Friday