Obama’s attack on the independence of inspectors general

[UncleBeer 244]

Why's this preznit waging war on government Inspector Generals? Who could possibly object to the job they do for the taxpayers? Oh right: they're uncovering corruption, and we can't have that.

Inspectors general are the taxpayers’ policemen. Their beat is the corridors of the bureaucracy, which they patrol for waste, fraud, abuse and even crime. This often puts them at odds with a president, his administration and his congressional allies.

Not long after settling into the White House, President Obama fired Gerald Walpin, the inspector general for AmeriCorps, because he had exposed a scam involving a close presidential friend. Mr. Walpin filed a report about the misuse of $847,000 in grant money by Kevin Johnson, the mayor of Sacramento, Calif. Mr. Johnson, a former NBA star, was accused of using government cash to pay “volunteers” to keep his car sparkling clean and to run personal errands. The firing of Mr. Walpin sent a clear signal to his colleagues: Investigate a friend of the president, and you’ll be looking for a new job. Many got the message.

Other inspectors general are like the Treasury Department’s J. Russell George, whose job is in jeopardy because he uncovered facts that some prefer to keep quiet. Mr. George testified about the IRS scheme to undermine Tea Party groups, drawing the ire of two Democratic congressmen, Reps. Gerald E. Connolly of Virginia and Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania. They filed a formal complaint with a special watchdog council that oversees the inspectors general. The congressmen questioned Mr. George’s “independence, ethics, competence and quality control” in the hopes that the council would impose sanctions.

On Wednesday, Patrick Sullivan, an assistant inspector general at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a coordinated scheme by political appointees inside the agency to interfere with investigations. Testifying before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Mr. Sullivan said that the appointees have operated as a “rogue law enforcement agency,” blocking oversight by the EPA’s inspector general for years.

Staff members at the EPA kept investigators away from critical documents relating to the “work” of John Beale, the EPA employee who fancied himself James Bond on a secret mission for the CIA. His supervisors fell for an implausible story enabling him to steal nearly $1 million in undeserved pay and bonuses over a decade. He even scored a handicap parking spot.

Rather than try to find other John Beales, the EPA continued the cover-up and let employees get away with whatever they pleased. One senior EPA manager sold jewelry and weight-loss products out of her office. She was not only not fired, but received a presidential rank award and a bonus check for $35,000. Another bonus went to an employee who performed no work at all.

An employee making six figures received checks for two years after he retired to a nursing home. His supervisor put him on “sick leave” to keep the money flowing. Whenever Mr. Sullivan got close to exposing an inconvenient truth, the EPA played the “national security” card to deny him access to necessary material.

Inspectors general are not generally denied access to such material, and Mr. Sullivan’s resume includes stints at the FBI and Secret Service, evidence that he’s capable of handling sensitive material. “This is truly a broken agency… ,” says Rep. Darrell E. Issa, chairman of the oversight committee. “The EPA has a long history that has now become intolerable to the American people.”

Only draining the swamp of corruption, incompetence and waste will restore public confidence in the IRS, the EPA and the rest of the federal bureaucracy. Then the inspectors general can operate with full independence, unrestrained by the fear of who they might offend.

[Peikko 1,575]

We used to have another member on VJ who would continually attack the current administration by posting these types of non stories. This really isn't news, it's an OPED that has zero credibility. Good for stirring up the unwashed masses perhaps, but not good for democracy or the health of the nation. The other poster wasn't very good at distinguishing between fact and opinion either.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

We used still have the same member on VJ who would continually attack the current administration by posting these types of non stories. This really isn't news, it's an OPED that has zero credibility. Good for stirring up the unwashed masses perhaps, but not good for democracy or the health of the nation. The other poster Unclebeer still isn't very good at distinguishing between fact and opinion either.

Fixed for you Truth

[UncleBeer 244]

these types of non stories.

How is the preznit firing a slew of Inspector Generals a "non-story"? It's a non-story if it damages your world-view, I guess.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It's only a story if you've got too much time on your hands and not enough going on in your life

[ready4ONE 5,400]

How is the preznit firing a slew of Inspector Generals a "non-story"? It's a non-story if it damages your world-view, I guess.

I think you failed to read your own OP adding to the fail.

[UncleBeer 244]

It's only a story if you've got too much time on your hands and not enough going on in your life

Ah: so, apathy is the only correct response when I see my country being dismantled by a preznit who murmurs words about "rule of law", yet does the opposite. Is that your position?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

When you mistake fantasy for reality and don't even know it, the appropriate response would be to consult your physician.

Edited May 9, 2014 by Mr. Big Dog

[BatmanUSA 105]

Sorry I can not agree with the OP, but this really is a non-story...

and I am SOOO NOT an Obama fan.. But really this is small and inconsequential when you consider all the other things you could slam Obama for....

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I think the real sin is the OP repeatedly referring to "inspector generals" instead of "inspectors general." The op-ed gets it right though.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Ah: so, apathy is the only correct response when I see my country being dismantled by a preznit who murmurs words about "rule of law", yet does the opposite. Is that your position?

Yes I'd rather sit on my ####### and watch it happen. What are you doing about it? Tangibly?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Yes I'd rather sit on my ####### and watch it happen. What are you doing about it? Tangibly?

He's getting the word out.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Clearly Gary believes that you can save the world on the Internet

[GandD 5,966]

Ah: so, apathy is the only correct response when I see my country being dismantled by a preznit who murmurs words about "rule of law", yet does the opposite. Is that your position?

Derp. Derp is my position.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It's a ####### thread. Started by a ####### who has no interest in discussion. If he did he wouldn't post and bail