[albionmoonlight]

It's actually a bit more complicated than that, JP. Just as fucking depressing though.

There are people in this country who really want that hidden, un-elected, accountable-to-the-whims-only-of-the-President-and-his-cabinet, DOT Bureaucrat making the decision instead of Congress. People who do not like the separation of powers and who want a more monarch-like executive.

Cheney was the most vocal and open proponent of this theory, but lots of people hold it. The more power that can be concentrated in one branch, the easier it is to take away our freedom and for the powers behind the throne to control that much more. If the only accountability moment for every relevant function of the government is one Presidental election every four years, then these people are very happy. That's what they want.

I think that these people present a real threat to personal freedom. No matter who is in charge at any given time, the structure of separated powers helps to ensure that decisions are made after deliberation and as in the open as possible.

"Earmarks Suck!" makes me sad b/c it is so good at helping take power away from Congress and giving it to the executive. CONGRESS is supposed to control the purse. The people subject to election and re-election. That's how the framers wanted it.

But, certain interests would love for that power to reside instead in the hands of un-elected bureaucrats not subject to any direct accountability. And, by getting everyone to shout "EARMARKS SUCK!" they get a lot of sheep to follow them.

Freedom isn't free, people. And those trying to take it from us have a lot of patience.