The Presidency
and Federal Bureaucracy
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Chief
of state – the president is the ceremonial head of the government of the
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Chief
executive – the president is vested by the constitution with the executive powers
of the
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chief
administrator – he is the administrator of the Federal Government heading one
of the largest governmental machines in the world
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Chief
diplomat – the main architect of the foreign policy and the nation’s chief
spokesperson.
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Commander
in chief - the president is in charge of the armed forces. All the people in the armed forces have to
follow his orders.
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Chief
legislator –he is the architect of the public policies. He sets the shape of the congressional
agenda.
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Chief
of party – he is the acknowledged leader of the political party that controls
the branch.
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Chief
Citizen – he is the representative of the people. When he speaks to the people outside the
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Interrelated
Nature of Presidential Roles – the president must be born a
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Formal
Qualifications - the president must be born a
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The
President’s Term – At first there was no set term limit with the president, but
since
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Pay
and Benefits – his salary is fixed by Congress and he also receives a bonus
expense account. Each president has a
lifetime pension also.
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The
Constitution and Succession – If the president dies then the VP will become the
president. There is a whole long list of
the followers…here are a few…VP, speaker of the House, President pro tempore of
the Senate, Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury.
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Presidential
Disability – the 25th amendment closes the disability gap. It says that the VP is the acting president if
the president informs the Congress that he is unable to be in power, it must be
in writing, or the VP and the majority of the members believe the president is
incapacitated.
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The
Vice Presidency – there are two duties that he has to do. He must preside with the Senate and to help
decide the question of presidential disability.
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Importance
of the Office – There are debates as to why the VP really exists. He does not do anything in the office, but
this may be why there is separation of the parties.
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Original
Constitutional Provisions – The framers gave more time to the method for choosing
the President than any other job. Most
of the delegates favor the selection by Congress, but then it would be too hard
of a decision.
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The
Impact of the Rise of Parties – Framers wanted the Electoral College there only
for the election of
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The
election of 1800 – this marked new elements for the election of the President. One is that the party nominations for the
pres and the vice pres. The other it the
nomination of the candidates for the presidential electors that pledge to vote
for that person and the other this is the automatic casting of the electoral
votes in line with those pledges.
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The
12th Amendment – This was to make sure that it separated the presidential and
vice presidential electoral votes.
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The
role of Conventions – This was where the conventions were where the people
decided to pick the people they want to vote for. There are many different delegates and
special things involved in the conventions
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Extent
of Control by Law – The final election is narrowed down to two different people,
one from each party. This will make the
percentages of the people closer to who they think so win…instead of having
someone win by only needing 17% of the votes.
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Convention
Arrangements – The committee meets about a year before the convention to set a
time and place for the convention. Where
they hold it is very important because that will bring the most people to vote
for that candidate.
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The
Apportionment of Delegates – this is where the committees call for a convention
and it announces the name and the times and all that jazz. The Delegates are the ones who cast their
votes to nominate that presidential candidate.
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Selection
of Delegates – there is about two campaigns every four years. One is between the Republicans and the Democrats
and the other is within each of the parties.
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Presidential
Primaries – this is when two things happen.
The first is the election of all or the States organizations delegates
to the national convention. The second
is to express the preferences of the various contenders.
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Winner-take-all
– There have been several primaries where it has been like this. The candidate who won the preference vote
automatically won the support of all the delegates chosen in the primary.
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Evaluation
of the Presidential Primary – No one who surveys the presidential primary
system needs to e told that is complicated.
The primaries are vital though and over the years they have played a
major role in nominating both parties.
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Caucuses
and Conventions- the party’s voters meet in a local caucus at the precinct
level. There they choose their delegates
where they are chosen at the State convention.
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The
Convention Setting - Every national convention the party gets together in a
large auditorium which has flags, bunting, and a variety of different party
symbols.
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The
Opening session - each party’s convention generally runs four days with one,
sometimes two sessions held each day. The opening session is devoted to two
matters: organizing the convention and delivering rousing speeches. The national
chairperson and party dignitaries make welcoming speeches.
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The
Second and Third Sessions - The following sessions are used mostly for
deliverance of speeches by party leaders and to deliver committee reports.
Usually the committee on rules and order of business reports is the first to
go.
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Platform
- platform is supposed to be a basic stattement of the party’s principles of its
stands on major policy matters. It is also a campaign statement, an attempt to
appeal to as many possible and win as many votes as possible.
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The
Final Sessions - Occurring in the last session, nomination of the particular
political party’s choice for presidential nominee occurs. The last step is
balloting which continues until a nominee receives the majority of the delegate’s
votes and he or she is then thus nominated.
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Who
Does the Party Nominate – When the President isn’t in the furl, there are maybe
two or three people who survive the convention.
The one who is the jargon of politics and the most available to the
people will be nominated.
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The
Electoral College Today - Popular vote chooses candidates through the electoral
vote, which is held in every state, on the same day everywhere, on the Tuesday
after the first Monday in the month of November every fourth year.
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Flaws
in the Electoral Collage (Major Defect) – the person who wins the popular vote
will not win the election. This is a
major problem because the winner-take-all idea is the most important in the election.
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The
Second Major Defeat – nothing in the constitution requires the electors to vote
for the candidate favored by the popular vote in their states. Many states do have the law but they are not really
enforced.
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The
Third Major Defeat – There is always a chance that the election will be decided
by the House of Representatives. This
could be bad because there are more people in some states than another so the
smaller sates have an unfair advantage.
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Proposed
Reforms - these defects in the Electoral College system have long been
recognized. Amendments to change the process have been introduced in every term
of Congress since 1789, most of them fall under three headings: the district
plan, the proportional plan, and the direct popular election
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The
District Plan - the district plan would get rid of the winner-take-all problem,
it suggests that electors be chosen in each state as members of Congress are
chosen. Two electors would be chosen from the state at-large and would cast
their votes in light with the statewide popular vote result. Other electors
would be chosen in each of the State’s congressional districts and their votes
would be cast in accord with the popular vote result in their district
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The
Proportional Plan – each candidate receives the same share of the State’s
electoral vote as he received the State’s popular vote. This does not produce the same result
nationally.
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Direct
Popular election - This is the most common and supported proposal, as well as
the most obvious. It suggests getting rid of the electoral college system
completely and allowing direct popular election of the president
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Electorate
– the mass of people who actually cast the votes in the election. This depends on how they cast their
ballots.
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The
National Bonus Plan – a national pool of the electoral votes, the winner
automatically gets award the votes. The
advocates see the electors as unnecessary and they want to get rid of them.
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A
Final Word – there are a few good things about the Electoral College
system. The reforms might have defects
but are not in practice and this identifies the winner quickly and thoroughly.
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Chapter 14
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The
Changing View of Presidential Power - The constitution deals with presidential
powers in a sketchy matter. Many framers believed in having a stronger
executive branch.
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Why
Presidential Power Has Grown - As we as a country have become more industrially
and technologically centered some people have expressed desire for the
government to have a larger role over public matters like transportation,
health, civil rights, welfare, communications, etc
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How
Presidents Power Has Grown - The presidents various roles has helped his power
expand. Another factor is the huge amount of staff support that the president
possesses.
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Media
– many o the presidents have used the media to gain power in the executive
branch. FDR used his “fire side” chats
so he could communicate with the people and have a better relationship.
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How
Presidents Have Viewed Their Power – the Presidency depends on the president’s
views in his offices and powers.
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Executing
the Law – the president executes enforces, administers, and carries out the
provisions of the federal law. The
immigration laws require the immigrants seeking residence must be able to read
some language this deals with the executive branch.
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The
Ordinance Power – applying the federal law to the people is a day-to-day basis
and there are the people who administer the law are under the command of the president. The constitution fails to mention the
ordinance power but it was intended.
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The
Appointing Power - the president has the power to name most of the top- ranking
officers of the Federal Government pending Senate approval. Among them are
ambassadors and other diplomats, cabinet members, heads of independent
agencies, all federal judges, attorneys, and marshals
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Executive
order – this is a directive rule that has the effect of the law. The power to issue orders arises from the
Constitution and the Acts of the Congress.
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The
Removal Power – this is critically important to the success of the
president. The constitution does not say
who he can appoint or dismiss in this case or for the reason why he dismissed a
person.
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The
Historical Debate - The Removal power was strongly debated in the very first
session of congress in 1789. The very first congress gave the president power to
remove any appointed officer with the exception of federal judges
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Removal
and the Supreme Court - In 1876 congress passed a law that required senate
approval before the president could remove any first, second, or a third-class
postmaster. The question of presidential power did not reach the Supreme Court
until the year 1926
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The
Power to Make Treaties – the president acts through the secretary of states to
negotiate international agreements. The
Senate must approve by 2/3s before it becomes in effect.
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Executive
Agreements – these are different pacts between the president and the heads f
foreign states. These do not require the
Senates consent and most do not relate to the legislation passed by the
Congress.
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The
Power of Recognition - When the president gets the diplomatic representatives
of another sovereign state, he exercises this power. Acting for the
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The
President’s Dominant Role in Military Affairs - The Constitution makes the
president the commander in chief of the nation’s armed forces. Congress shares
many war powers but the President’s position is as dominant as it is in the
field of foreign affairs
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Making
Undeclared War - The president sending the armed forces into action before
without congressional approval. The majority of presidents have done so and in
has happened no less than 200 times
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Wartime
Powers – the president’s powers as commander in chief are important during
times of war. The president may also use
the armed forces to keep domestic people like with the State’s militia.
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The
War Powers Resolution – The president must act rapidly and effectively to the nation’s
security. People disagree that the president
should have this great power in protecting the nation.
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The
President in the Legislative Field - Using the legislative powers the President
can have a considerable influence on the actions of Congress. This makes him
the nation’s chief legislator.
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Power
to Recommend Legislative - The Constitution gives the president the power to
suggest measures to Congress that he judges necessary. When he gives the State
of the
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Other
Legislative Powers - the President can call Congress into special session, he
also has the power to adjourn Congress if the two houses can not agree on a day
to adjourn. Though, this is something that has never happened
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Judicial
Powers - The presidential power to allow reprieves and pardons is absolute
except in an impeachment case where there not allowed to be granted. The
president has no power over people who break state law
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Reprieve
- the postponement of the execution of a sentence. The power to grant reprieves
is absolute, except in conditions or impeachment
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Pardon
- legal forgiveness of a crime. This, likke the power to grant reprieves, is an
absolute power. Pardons are usually granted after a person has been convicted
in court, but in some circumstances a pardon can even be issued before a person
has been formally charged
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Commutation
- the power to commute or reduce the lenggth of a sentence or a fine imposed by
court. This is included in the pardoning power along with the power to grant
conditional pardons
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Amnesty
- a general pardon granted to a group of law violators. This is also included
in the pardoning power. In 1977, Jimmy Carter granted amnesty to people who
evaded the draft during the Vietnam War.
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The
Executive Office of the President - All officers, employees, and agencies that
belong within the executive branch are subordinate to the president by law. The
EOP is an umbrella agency made up of lots of separate agencies and the
employees are made up of trusted advisors and assistants
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The
White House Office - center of the EOP and the executive branch is the white
house office. All of the presidents major personal and political staff is
housed there
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The
National Security Council - Most actions in foreign affairs are taking with
advisory measures from the national Security Council. The president meets with
them on his call for advice on every domestic, foreign, and military matter
that correlate with national security
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The
Office of Management and Budget - The only other office that is as large and as
influential as this office is the EOP. They prepare an annual statement of
public policies of the
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Federal
budget - a financial document including the detailed estimate of receipts and
expenditures, an anticipation of federal income and outgo during the coming
fiscal year. It is a work plan for the conduct of the government and the execution
of public policy
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The
Office of National Drug Control Policy - a financial document including the
detailed estimate of receipts and expenditures, an anticipation of federal
income and outgo during the coming fiscal year. It is a work plan for the conduct
of the government and the execution of public policy
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The
Council of Economic Advisers - the cabinet is an informal advisory body brought
together by the President to serve his needs. The Constitution makes no mention
of it, nor did Congress create it. Instead, the cabinet is the product of
custom and usage.
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Other
Units in the Economic Office - the cabinet is an informal advisory body brought
together by the President to serve his needs. The Constitution makes no mention
of it, nor did Congress create it. Instead, the cabinet is the product of
custom and usage.
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The
Cabinet - the cabinet is an informal advisory body brought together by the
President to serve his needs. The Constitution makes no mention of it, nor did
Congress create it. Instead, the cabinet is the product of custom and usage.
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Choosing
Cabinet Members - The president appoints the head of each of the 14 executive
departments. Each of these appointments needs to be confirmed by the Senate,
but rejections are exceedingly rare.
They have defined duties in the specific division of labor.
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Women
and Minorities in the Cabinet - it is a way of organizing people to do work. They are found in both public and private
sectors. They generally respect the choice of the President. Of the 600 appointments
made since 1789, only 12 gave been turned down
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The
Cabinet’s Role – they are basically having two jobs. One is being the administrative head of one
of the executive departments. The second
is to be advisors to the president as a whole.
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Chapter 15
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What
is a Bureaucracy? – It is a way of organizing people to do work. They are found in both public and private
sectors.
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Bureaucrat
– a person who works in an organization.
They have defined duties in the specific division of labor.
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Major
Elements of the Federal Bureaucracy – it is all of the agencies and procedures
the Federal Government operates through.
The Constitution barely says anything about the organization of the
executive branch, but makes the chief administrator have the power to take care
of the laws.
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Administration
– this is the government’s administrators and agencies. Without then the policies would just be words
and no one would really have arson to follow the laws.
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The
Name Game – the department is reserved for his agencies of the cabinet
rank. The agency is known as the
governmental body. The administration is
the agencies. Commission is the money
given to the agencies. Corporation or
authority is the high ranking person.
These are all part of the Bureau.
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Staff
and Line – the staff agencies support the capacity which means they aid the
president and administrators by giving advice and assistance in the
managing. Line agencies actually do the
tasks that the organization is known for.
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The
Cabinet – The Congress set up the States, Treasury, and war department. The head of the department is known as the
secretary. They all have staff and lines
and now there are 14 departments in the cabinet today.
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What
are the Independent Agencies – They have similar to the cabinet departments. There is no specify size of budget that will
help distinguish the many department’s
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Independent
agencies – the agencies that the Congress has created outside of the
Constitution.
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The
Independent Executive Agencies – These are things like GSA, NASA< and EPA
which are larger independent executive agencies. They are organized like the cabinet
departments and are headed by a singe administrator.
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The
Independent Regulatory Commissions – there are ten agencies that are way eying
the rich of the presidential control and direction. They are headed by a board of commission and
they are appointed by the president only by the consent of the Congress.
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Quasi-legislative
– this means the Congress has legislative-like powers. The regulatory agencies have legislative like
powers.
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Quasi-judicial
- this means the Congress has judicial liike powers. The regulatory agencies have judicial like
powers.
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The
Government Corporations – these are witching the reach of the President’s
direction and control. These are set up
by the Congress to carry out certain activities.
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The
beginnings –
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The
Spoils System – this is where there are people brought into the government that
are friends with the president. He had
his defenses which were the duties were simple, and there should be a rotation
in office, the long service in office is inefficient, and the people are
entitled to have the party they have replaced
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Patronage
– this is giving positions to friends of the person electing them. This was around even before
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The
Movement of Reform – a lot of people anted reform and so Congress created the
Civil Service Commission in 1871. They
didn’t want to give people proper job s and the proper salary. This caused someone to assassinate
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The
Pendleton Act – 1883 law said there had to be some basis for hiring people. This set up the jobs into two
categories. The classified and
unclassified. The classified employees
took no part in partisan politics and the president could decide the
categories.
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Civil
Service Today – the point of this is to do away with the spoils system. Now there is a goal of recruiting and keeping
the best available people in the federal office. This has succeeded.
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Reorganization
– The Civil Service Commission was replaces by the Office of Personnel Management
and the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Basically they keep track of the good people and send out who they are
when a job opens.
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Federal
Employees and Party Act – Federal Employees are not allowed to go on strike and
the political activities are limited.
This is because of the Hatch Act in 1939 saying the classified employees
cannot be party activists
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Pay
and Benefit Issues – Equal opportunity is still a problem in the federal bureaucracy. The minorities are still represented but they
tend to be in lower positions.