Federal bureaucrats exercise a great deal of power, especially when operating under discretionary authority. It is therefore important to understand what influences bureaucratic conduct. In general, four factors explain the behavior of governmental officials:

1. Recruitment and reward. Once hired, a federal bureaucrat normally serves a one year trial period before being granted tenure. A tenured bureaucrat is extremely difficult to fire, with the average termination process (including appeals) lasting about two years. Thus, in practice, almost no one is ever fired and executives develop informal strategies for dealing with incompetent employees.

The Senior Executive Service (SES) was created in 1978 to provide presidents with a core group of neutral, professional managers in the upper grades of the bureaucracy. To ensure competence, members of the SES-who join on a voluntary basis-are subject to easier transfer and firing procedures as well as to pay increases determined by performance. The SES has not worked out as intended; almost no member of the group has been fired, and salary raises have been fairly automatic.

In spite of the merit system, hiring in federal agencies remains political, especially at the middle and upper levels. An agency can hire a particular individual on a name-request basis, giving rise to the buddy system. This practice allows the maintenance of issue networks based on shared policy views; bureaucrats in consumer-protection agencies, for example, may hire people from Naderite groups. The end-product of the recruitment and reward structure is that most bureaucrats become quite comfortable in their position and defensive about their agency, adopting an agency point of view.

2. Personal attributes. Bureaucrats at the middle and upper levels of government are not representative of the American public. They tend to be highly educated, middle-aged white males. But none of these factors explains much about the attitudes bureaucrats hold. Surveys have found top-level bureaucrats to be slightly more liberal than the average voter but not as liberal as members of the media. Yet even this generalization is a bit misleading. Attitudes tend to vary depending on the agency for which a bureaucrat works. Those employed by activist agencies (FTC, EPA) are much more liberal than those who work in traditional agencies (Commerce).

While attitudes differ, they do not necessarily influence bureaucratic behavior because much of bureaucratic work is governed by standardized rules and procedures. It is only where roles are loosely structured that a civil servant’s attitudes come into play.

3. The nature of the job. Some agencies have a sense of mission, a clear doctrine that is shared by its members. Such agencies (the Forest Service, the FBI, and the Public Health Service) are easy to manage and have high morale but are hard to change and are resistant to political direction. To be sure, a sense of mission probably infiltrates most agencies to some degree; a survey by Kenneth Meier and Lloyd Nigro revealed that federal bureaucrats believe in the importance of their agency’s work. Thus the mission of the agency may become synonymous with the public interest in the minds of many bureaucrats. An agency’s mission, however, must be accomplished within an array of laws, rules, and regulations-dealing with hiring and firing, freedom of information, accounting for money spent, affirmative action, environmental impact, and administrative procedures. Agencies also have overlapping and even conflicting missions. These characteristics make controlling the bureaucracy difficult, no matter which party occupies the White House.

4. External forces. All government bureaus must cope with seven external forces: executive branch superiors, the president’s staff, congressional committees, interest groups, the media, the courts, and other government agencies. All federal agencies are nominally subordinate to the president. In practice, agencies that distribute benefits among significant, discrete groups, regions, or localities within the United States (such as HUD, Agriculture, and Interior) tend to be closely overseen by Congress. Others (such as State, Treasury, or justice) are more under the control of the president. Bureaucrats, like people generally, desire autonomy-to be left alone, free of bureaucratic rivals and close political supervision. They may obtain autonomy through the skillful use of publicity to build public support, as did the FBI and NASA. A less risky strategy is to develop strong allies in the private sector that will provide political support in Congress. However, this limits the freedom of the agency; it must serve the interests of its clients. Thus the Maritime Administration supports high subsidies for the shipping industry, and the Department of Labor could never recommend a decrease in the minimum wage.

External forces influence agency decisions in the form of the so-called iron triangle-the informal policy network involving an agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee. Often, though, an agency will be faced with conflicting interest group demands. The National Farmers Union favors high subsidies to farmers, whereas the American Farm Bureau Federation takes a free-market position. Organized labor favors strict enforcement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, whereas business is opposed. In these instances, issue networks emerge. These are an array of groups and individuals, often contentious, and split along ideological, partisan, and economic lines.

Congress has a formidable array of powers to deal with the bureaucracy. First, congressional statutes establish the existence of an agency and occasionally specify in detail how agencies should behave. Lately, however, Congress has given broad discretion to agencies. Second, money must be authorized and then appropriated by Congress. The agency is thus beholden to the legislative committee that authorizes funds and to the Appropriations Committee of the House.

For many decades, Congress made increasing use of the legislative veto to control bureaucratic or presidential actions by vetoing a particular decision within a thirty- to ninety-day period. However, in June 1983, the Supreme Court declared the legislative veto unconstitutional (the Chadha case). This decision’s exact effect on congressional oversight of the bureaucracy is still uncertain. Finally, congressional investigations are the most visible and dramatic form of oversight.

Discussion Questions

1. The text defines bureaucracy as “a large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.” What does this mean? Does a large organization also have to be complex? It is possible to have a simple administrative structure in an organization that has hundreds–or even thousands-of employees?

2. The text’s definition of bureaucracy includes the phrase “appointed officials.” Why do the large, complex organizations in our society not have elected rather than appointed officials? Wouldn’t electing officials be more democratic? Should we elect the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), for example? Would this make these officials more responsive to public opinion? What about an Assistant Secretary of Defense? Would the president be more or less able to control the bureaucracy if these officials were independently elected? Would concerted, consistent action be more or less likely if many more officials were elected?

3. The Pendleton Act has had both beneficial and harmful effects. On the one hand, it has lessened the fear of job loss among civil servants, making the bureaucracy sometimes resistant to presidential direction. On the other hand, bureaucrats should have some immunity to resist improper orders from politically motivated superiors. How can these twin goals of competence and political neutrality be balanced more perfectly than they are today?

4. One of the criticisms of the federal government’s response to Hurricane Katrina and the flooding of New Orleans is that the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael Brown, was a presidential appointee with limited experience in emergency management. Is it important for agency directors to have direct experience or expertise in a field that correlates with their agency position? On the other hand, should general leadership and managerial skills be sufficient for this type of high-level position? If external standards are imposed in addition to the president’s usual political criteria, how might this hurt his ability to fill bureaucratic positions? (See the “What Would You Do” feature to review the challenges that presidents already face in their search for qualified bureaucratic managers.)

5. How much oversight should Congress have over the functioning of bureaucracies? Is it realistic to expect Congress to review major decisions made by every government agency? Should a separate organizational structure be established to provide that governmental oversight?

As I approached the James L. Knight Center on January 2 for Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball concert, I was overwhelmed by the diversity of her fans. Middle aged men in sequins mingled with teenagers in lamé; mothers and daughters rubbed elbows with twenty year old college students while waiting to enter the theater. Upon entering the venue, the eclectic groups of fans, “Little Monsters” as Gaga refers to them, found their seats and watched two opening acts.

The first opening act was glam rock group Semi Precious Weapons. Lead singer Justin Tranter reminded the audience often that he was wearing four inch heels. After enthusiastically performing, Tranter led the audience into excitedly chanting “LADY GAGA!”

Following the Semi Precious Weapons’ animated performance, Jason Derulo took the stage. He sampled other artists ranging from Daft Punk to Imogen Heap in nearly all of his songs. Combined with his mediocre vocals, the sampled music left many Gaga fans eager for Derulo to leave the stage.

After nearly an hour and a half of anticipation, Lady Gaga finally arrived on stage. In typical Gaga fashion, she was wore a light-up outfit with exaggerated shoulders as she sang “Dance in the Dark.” With the audience dancing and screaming, the artist continued her concert with her number one hit, “Just Dance.”

Lady Gaga, who is known for her unique and oftentimes strange personality, made puns about several of her songs and demanded ample cheers from the audience. After singing “Monster,” the pop diva looked disgruntled when she didn’t receive enough applause, laid down on the stage and likened herself to Tinkerbell. “You know how Tinkerbell dies if you don’t clap for her? Do you want me to die? Scream for me!” she demanded.

With the audience screaming, Gaga continued singing several more of her pop tracks. A pianist since she was four, the singer slowed down her show as she sang “Poker Face” and the ballad “Speechless” while accompanying herself on the piano. Her prowess on the piano along with her outstanding live vocals showcased Gaga as one of today’s most talented popstars.

After her acoustic performance, Lady Gaga sang more of her pop songs, such as “Paparazzi.” Standing on an elevated bar with her hair pinned to loops above her head, she belted out the song powerfully and then “died” on stage. As the concert ended with the current hit “Bad Romance,” audience members screamed, sang, danced and professed their love to her.

An undeniably devoted fanbase, Gaga’s Little Monsters were not phased by the massive amount of pedestrian traffic leaving the theater after the concert. Instead, a group of fans began singing the “Bad Romance” chorus. More Little Monsters joined, and despite the close crowding and heat, nearly everyone was smiling and sharing monster-like camaraderie.

Fine arts teacher, Deborah Brock, has participated in Scholastics as the regional director for the past five years. Mr. Jim Usher and the AHS Fine Arts Department has helped to fund the Broward regional division as well as hosting the art show in the AHS Fine Arts building. Displayed in the Black Box Theatre are dozens of gold and silver key pieces as well as honorable mentions, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, photographs, and other art works of other mediums. The gold key pieces will travel to New York City to compete with thousands of other pieces from high schools across the nation.

Before the award-winning pieces leave, AHS will hold a gallery display of all winning pieces from January 21-30. Doors open at 7:30 am through 4 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays. An awards ceremony will be held in the Main Theater on January 30 at noon, presenting anxious artists with the judges’ results. Students, parents, and friends are welcomed and highly encouraged to join the ceremony.

While in Boca, I was talked into getting a magnet-fueled wonder toy for a steep price of $30. I reluctantly paid, unaware what endless wonder would lie inside this package.

MAGNETIZE YOUR FUN: Despite their simple exterior, Buckyballs provide consumers with endless possibilities to create their own fun. (Photo/Charles Quittner)

After the first hour of toying with this gadget, I realized the awkwardly named “Bucky Balls” might just be the greatest toy created since “Silly Putty.”

“Bucky Balls” are made from tiny, incredibly strong earth magnets (Neodymium n38) 5mm in diameter. The expensive price might be attributed to the rarity of the metals and the expensive machinery used to make them.

With 216 tiny metallic balls per package, possibilities with “Bucky Balls” are literally infinite. One mode of play involves pulling the orbs into chains and folding them into a magnetic “fabric.” From this they can be melded into limitless 3D, flat, and abstract shapes. One of the first objects I proudly crafted was a beautiful flower.

In addition to lovely decorative knick-knacks, the users of the toy can also form fierce jewelry instantly. “I made a ring that looked absolutely beast,” remarked senior Karam Alawa about his beautiful creation. Multimedia instructor Ms. Molina also created a dazzling bracelet.

Unlike rival magnetic toys, “Bucky Balls” form more durable pieces. If dropped, the magnets don’t scatter so missing pieces are an incredibly rare problem.

Like other innovative products this year, “Bucky Balls” will likely be mocked at first. Then, like the “Snuggie,” large quantities will be purchased for gag gifts. Eventually, people will find out just how addicting the toy is and “Bucky Balls” will become a household name.

However, with this great fun comes great responsibility. The revolutionary toy might cause a rise in homework procrastination due to their seemingly addicting nature. To quote senior Alex Beck, “Forget economics; I’m playing with my ‘Bucky Balls.’”

A definite nominee this season, Jason Reitman’s “Up in the Air” looks at the life of a charming yet detached man (played with unsurpassed charisma by the silvery, foxy George Clooney) whose job entails flying across the U.S. to fire employees. Corporate downsizing is a sad, true reality in today’s brutal economy that the film explores.

Clooney dazzles as Ryan, a man away from home who lives his life through his travels and carries his life in a carry-on suitcase. He frequently inhabits the skies and carries his “frequent flyer” status with too much pride. He reluctantly takes on a new co-worker as his pupil and teaches her the harsh realities of his dark job. Along the way, he begins a romance with an attractive woman who reflects his personality in a women’s body.

The supporting actresses each give Oscar worthy performances. Vera Farmiga gives a “sharp as nails” performance as Alex, a fellow frequent flyer free of emotional commitment. Contrasting both of the leads is Anna Kendrick, who plays the young employee brought onboard for her technologically savvy ideas. Both actresses compliment Clooney with believable chemistry and memorable group scenes.

Much like his previous “Juno,” director Jason Reitman takes on a serious topic with lighthearted comedy, never losing the severity and drama of the situation. The pace is always smooth and strangely enough, so is the tone. Also like Juno, this film’s punch lies not in the directing but in his lightning paced script, leaving viewers entranced at this rather simple story.

But what makes Michel truly stand out is his age. He is only an eighth grader.

Only 13, Michel became the biggest contributor on the Patriot offense this season, rushing for a total of 18 touchdowns, with an average of 7 yards a carry.

Michel led Heritage to a district championship after running a total of 203-yards in Heritage’s game against Cardinal Gibbons High School. Also, he dominated in the Patriot game with North Broward Prep, rushing over 280 yards, including a 98-yard kickoff return.

“He’s a natural back, with incredible speed and vision,” said Coach Byron Walker.

Michel’s performance in football has given him much recognition. He was recently named Sun-Sentinel Football Player of the Year and was invited to participate in the Youth All-American bowl, as one of the 140 top youth football players in the country.

Though initially Michel felt his age and inexperience would disadvantage him as a football player, he eventually overcame his fears as he began playing.

“A lot of people thought I didn’t have the varsity talent, but I played hard and I worked hard, and I proved them wrong,” he said.

In addition to playing football, Michel is one of the top track runners in the state and can run the 40-yard dash in just 4.47 s.

Michel plans on participating in sports during college and wants to eventually go pro. As for now, he continues to train to stay among the best of football players.

“Now that I’m at the top, I don’t want to fall. I have to train, work hard during the offseason and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Statistics:

248 Carries
1825 Total Yards
7.36 Yards/Carry
18 Touchdowns
40 yard dash in 4.47 seconds
80-yard Longest Rush

The Heritage girls’ soccer team has consistently ranked among the top in the state, winning the state championship two times in the last five years. Last year, the team lost only one game in over twenty.

“We all work together so not one person outshines another,” said senior Bea Pereira.

With several topnotch players, the soccer team feels well equipped to win the state championship, but coach Phil Zayas says the team needs to remain focused to achieve its goal.

“The girls need to be humble. Their desire to win must be greater than their ability,” he said.

Zayas says the biggest advantage our team has is our talent and confidence. “Most teams that play us know that they are going to lose before the game has started,” Zayas said. The team’s biggest weakness according to the coach is “overconfidence and girl drama.”

The soccer team’s current record is 22-1-1. The team’s lost to West Boca High School in a game on Dec. 13, 2009. “It was our first loss since November of 08. I think the loss will help us to play better soccer; it brought us back to reality,” Zayas said.

But beyond the sport, the girls hold a close valuable bond with each other, something that makes the game special to them.

Pereira said the coaches constantly remind the team of this bond through this quote from the book, “Vision of a Champion.”

“Isn’t it wonderful that you play a team sport, knowing that if you struggle, the person next to you will carry you?”

Junior Kyle Roig makes the winning putt at the Harder Hall Tournament on January 10. (Submitted Photo)

Fighting through rain and near-freezing temperatures, Junior Kyle Roig gave a sigh of relief after shooting an 18-foot birdie putt at Harder Hall. After nearly four hours, she had put an end to the Tampa tournament.

Roig, “Golfweek’s” No. 24 ranked amateur, competed in the Harder Hall Women’s Golf invitational on Saturday Jan. 10. Her biggest competition was No. 1 ranked Alexis Thompson, the youngest female ever to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open.

“I’ve played with her [Thompson] since I was little, and she is a great player,” Roig said. “I’m not ranked too far behind her so I knew I had a chance to win.”

Both Roig and Thompson remained close throughout the tournament.

On the 17th, Roig putted her second shot in the second cut of rough, but her ball stopped one inch short of the hole. The birdie put her one point away from Thompson.

On the last hole, Thompson made a bogey to finish even par for the tournament. Roig scored a birdie on the 18th, putting the two South Florida golfers in a tie with par 72.

The two players engaged in a tie-breaker playoff. Thompson scraped the edge in a birdie attempt of the first playoff hole, while Roig finished the game with an 18-foot birdie putt.

“I had to win one because she’s won so many,” Roig said. Roig says the toughest part of the Harder Hall Invitational was coping with the weather.

“I had to try to keep my hands as warm and dry as possible,” she said. “I stayed motivated because I knew everyone was playing under the same conditions. That day was about who was more mentally prepared to handle the conditions.”

The Harder Hall Women’s Invitational is a tournament for amateur golfers across the world, although most come from Florida. Several winners of this invitational have become professional golfers, including Aree Song and Alice Dye. Roig plans to follow their path.

Practicing over 25 hours a week, Roig has won six state championship rings, was named the Sun-Sentinel Golfer of the Year, and has been selected to represent Puerto Rico for the World Team Amateur Championships.

My first stop was Sawgrass Mills Mall. The idea of an added holiday discount on already discounted outlet items seemed too good to be true—and it was. Store windows beckoned with promises of “60-70% Off!” and “Everything Half Priced!” but upon closer inspection of price tags, the deals began to look far less appealing. True, many stores did slash their tickets prices in half—prices that had been extremely inflated previously, however. To a working teenager on a budget, a 65% discount loses much of its allure when the original price is in the $300 range (especially at an outlet store).

At other stores, I ran into a different kind of problem. Forever 21 offered great deals, as usual, but most of the clearance items were either extra larges or extra smalls. I ran into the same problem at the American Eagle and Hollister at Broward Mall. Not too bad, I guess, if you’re a medium in need of some cheap over sized shirts.

Despite the disappointments, I did manage to find some great buys at two of my favorite stores: the Gap and Banana Republic. The former offered turtlenecks, sweaters, and holiday flats, all for under $25. My favorite find was a set of delicate silver bangles, sold in groups of three for just $1.99. At Banana Republic, I found dresses and evening wear reduced to extremely affordable prices. I found a pair of leather riding boots (which I’d purchased for $70 on Black Friday), reduced to a mere $48.

Even though I did purchase a few items, it was hard not to see the effects of the recession at the mall. There were smaller crowds at the mall, and those who did make it to the stores left with shopping bags that were noticeably smaller than those in previous years.

U.S. / POLITICS
Obama to Seek Spending Freeze to Trim Deficits
By JACKIE CALMES
Published: January 26, 2010
President Obama will call for a three-year freeze in spending on many domestic programs, in a move meant to signal seriousness about cutting the budget deficit. Continue Reading