Enough with the Czar talk
May 13th, 2009 | Author: JBH
Is anyone else getting uncomfortable with every new employee of the current administration being labeled a czar? When did it become acceptable to refer to a government employee as a king, monarch, or ruler? Please note that those being labeled czars are not elected politicians, but appointed officials. We have the auto czar, the banking czar, the healthcare czar, the global warming czar, and now the regulatory czar. Maybe we have more and I’ve been oblivious to it (more than fair odds that it true).
What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror. From thinking proceeds speaking, thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous! What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal & fallacious! – George Washington
To state clearly, I have no reason to be against any of these individuals holding some position within the government as I know very little about them. But to willingly give them titles as mini dictators makes my stomach turn.
What I find even more disgusting is the media’s acceptance of this term. They appear to proudly endorse this type of talk by placing it in headlines on the front pages rather than condemning it in editorials. Maybe this is too romantic a thought, but I was hoping journalists would question and test the actions of government, not endorse their power to dictate.
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To the best of my memory, the term czar was first used and made popular with Bush 1 in 1989 when he made William J. Bennett our first “Drug Czar” and more czar titles followed in each administrations since.
Yes, thank you graybird for pointing that out. My memory is going quickly.
It is your blog, and if something bothers you speak out. Trust me, I am annoyed by much of what the media, the administration and both sides of the isle do. I just want to see that credit is given where credit is due. I agree it is an out of place term to use. I think we both agree that there are greater issues out there that warrant out outrage and disgust. I know I often challenge many of the blog post I disagree with and too often fail to comment on the ones with you I agree. I guess my silence is my consent. I again want to thank you for providing the forum and initiating the conversation with the hope that we all learn from one another in order to make this a better country.
PG
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”