Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Lynn Rosenthal: Domestic Violence Czar

Obama has done it again. He's appointed another czar. I'm sure it won't be his last.

From Bonnie Erbe, U.S. News and World Report:

President Obama has appointed yet another czar—you know, one of those people in his administration with a long title, huge portfolio and no budget to get anything done. This time, it's a worthy enough portfolio assigned to Lynn Rosenthal—fighting domestic violence. But it's a czar-like post of such little consequence, the public announcement was handled by Vice President Joe Biden, not President Obama. From ABC News:
Vice President Biden announced today that Lynn Rosenthal will be the White House adviser on Violence Against Women, a new position created to work with the president and vice president on domestic violence and sexual assault issues...Rosenthal most recently served as the executive director of the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence and has focused on domestic violence issues like housing, state and local coordinated community response, federal policy, and survivor-centered advocacy.

Soon, it will be necessary for Obama to name a czar czar.

Once again, about Obama's czars:


Robert Byrd considers Obama's addiction to czars to be dangerous.
Robert Byrd, the longest serving senator in history, criticized President Obama's appointment of numerous White House advisors, also called "czars," saying the presence of the czars gives the president too much power.

These czars report directly to Mr. Obama and have the power to shape national policy on their subject area. So far, Mr. Obama has recruited czars on health reform, urban affairs policy, and energy and climate change. Unlike Cabinet secretaries, they do not have to be approved by Congress.

In a letter to Obama on Wednesday, Byrd, a Democrat, said that the czar system "can threaten the Constitutional system of checks and balances," Politico reported. Byrd added that oversight of federal agencies is the responsibility of officials approved by the Senate.

"As presidential assistants and advisers, these White House staffers are not accountable for their actions to the Congress, to cabinet officials, or to virtually anyone but the president," Byrd wrote. "They rarely testify before congressional committees, and often shield the information and decision-making process behind the assertion of executive privilege. In too many instances, White House staff have been allowed to inhibit openness and transparency, and reduce accountability."

Byrd has been a longtime critic of policies that concentrate power in the executive branch.

ENOUGH WITH THE CZARS!

Obama keeps growing government and his power, circumventing Congress and, as Sen. Byrd says, threatening the "Constitutional system of checks and balances."

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Let Obama have his fun. He's going to be irrelevant very soon. Responsible folks are figuring out what he's up to and they want no part of it. Finally.

Mary said...

I'm afraid Obama won't be irrelevant soon enough.

Carol said...

The public announcement was not handled by Joe Biden because the post is "of such little consequence." Joe Biden was an author of the original Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and has been a strong champion of the cause for a very long time. Allowing him to make the announcement is a recognition of his achievements in the field of working against domestic violence.

Mary said...

Yes, when Joe was a presidential candidate, he was always yapping about all he's done for women. He kept it up as a VP candidate.

Anonymous said...

There are so many things you have incorrect. First, Czars are not appointed by a president or vice president. Second, Joe Biden was the only Senator in the Northeastern side of this country who stood with women who were being battered and thrown back in their home with their abuser by the police with disregard and helped the first Federal act to correct this. That is why he announced the position of Lynn Rosenthal. Finally, your inability to understand that safe houses ARE necessary for women needing assistance with domestic violence because even with a restraining order, there is no guarantee the victim will be safe. In conclusion, you might want to consider the thousands of children that are thrown into this situation and if you are a woman commenting negatively about this--I suggest you consider the millions of women who stood up against challenging odds to made sure women were treated with respect. Maybe this article ought to consider that because it isn't irrelevant. Carol P.