Federal Economic Structures and Forces
Updated Sunday, February 03, 2008 07:06 PM. .
The United States government has enormous authority in managing economic activities inside the country, and outside - worldwide. The entities which direct these activities are largely established by federal legislation and masses of Executive Orders from the President. Most are headed by individuals or groups of citizens appointed by the President - some with the Advice and Consent requirement imposed by the legislation which creates the entity. This information is generally available on the internet, and more specifically, in the laws of the United States.
Our concern, and mission, is to understand the appointments made by the Executive - to define them, and provide that information to the public in general. Part of the value of this information is to define the sorts of people who have been selected to operate these agencies, and of course, to get a firm handle on the policies established by them. These individuals usually have enormous power to decide who and what entities get federal money, and to make policies that deeply impact the lives of our citizens. Usually these individual have enormous discretion in the use of their power, and that power is often applied as patronage on behalf of the President, to his political associates, and to influence elections. Who knows who, and who wants who to succeed in business or politics are critical pieces of information.
The order of the studies, i.e., which agencies are studied in which order, is governed by the practical need for the information. Once a study is begun, it becomes a continuing effort - fluid - changing - constantly in flux. Our emphasis is on the personnel - the appointees who operate the agencies - their conduct - backgrounds - and their decision making policies.
The technique for these studies is to leave what is public record to the user to seek out, although we may provide links or suggestions in some situations. We are interested in the actual operation of the individuals and how they serve in their positions. There is often a huge difference between what is public, and what happens at the practical level.
As the material is posted, we invite your inquiries, information you may wish to share with us, and suggestions about what matters are of importance to you.. .
Payback time: Alan Greenspan - former head of the Federal Reserve Bank - has blistered the President and the GOP for fiscal irresponsibility that puts politics above good budget conduct. Nothing really new about that - Reagan did the same thing of course. The GOP Congress isn't able to keep its money conduct any more along the straight and narrow than its keeps its sexual conduct where its mouth is. 9-15-07
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