A brief lesson in how bureaucracies work (and almost inevitably get out of hand)... No part of any bureaucracy is ever under the control of the head of the whole enterprise. The CIA is no exception to that rule. Neither is the Bureau of Weights and Measures. They are all semi-autonomous organizations exercising power that has been delegated to them by a higher authority for the purpose of achieving some mission. In order to achieve ANY mission, the organization must first be able to secure its own survival (this is why its so difficult to get rid of these things once you start them in motion).Their prime directive is to use the authority delegated to them for self preservation, usually by maximizing funding (this is why inefficiency and wasteful spending are so tolerated - they allow the organization to absorb the inevitable bouts of austerity without imperiling survival or mission). The head of the organization, in this case, the POTUS, is able to set, but is much less able to constrain a department/bureau/agencys agenda. Given the powers arrogated to the various intelligence agencies, and the secrecy with which their activities (and budgets) are shrouded, they are most capable of acting independently from, and even in defiance of the executive. So stop kvetching about government waste, its not a bug its a feature. Its a feature in the private sector as well, the only difference is that we dont mind it quite so much in the private sector because we dont think of it as waste, but as bonuses, and expense accounts, etc..
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 03:01:01 +0000
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