FEC files petition to the FEC to enforce the rules of the FEC
June 8, 2015 11:02 AM Subscribe
Inception-level meta-politics. The Federal Elections Commission, in charge of curbing abuses of our elections laws, is now filing petitions to itself to do its own job. But this is probably an improvement from the chair saying "People think the F.E.C. is dysfunctional. It’s worse than dysfunctional."
Democracy sounds like a neat system. Maybe we'll try it in America someday.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 11:26 AM on June 8, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 11:26 AM on June 8, 2015 [7 favorites]
What is the term that's always used for elections? "Free and fair"? How the hell can you call elections in a country where the rules are effectively unenforceable "free" or "fair"?
posted by graymouser at 11:29 AM on June 8, 2015
posted by graymouser at 11:29 AM on June 8, 2015
It will never work as currently structured, as gridlock is the principal feature of the entire agency.
For those watching at home and not RTFAing, this comment, as I learned by reading the NYT piece, is not hyperbole; when Congress set up the FEC following Watergate they gave it six commissioners, to be evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. Gridlock is inevitable.
posted by notyou at 11:53 AM on June 8, 2015 [3 favorites]
For those watching at home and not RTFAing, this comment, as I learned by reading the NYT piece, is not hyperbole; when Congress set up the FEC following Watergate they gave it six commissioners, to be evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. Gridlock is inevitable.
posted by notyou at 11:53 AM on June 8, 2015 [3 favorites]
Is this a bit like when Stig accidentally sued himself?
posted by Thorzdad at 12:17 PM on June 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Thorzdad at 12:17 PM on June 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
when Congress set up the FEC following Watergate they gave it six commissioners, to be evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. Gridlock is inevitable.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was designed the same way, with mutually opposed board members at all times. The only way Republicans would allow it to exist was to ensure that it couldn't work worth a damn. So yes, there is an NLRB, and no, it can't do much. Because it was never supposed to.
posted by Harvey Jerkwater at 12:25 PM on June 8, 2015
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was designed the same way, with mutually opposed board members at all times. The only way Republicans would allow it to exist was to ensure that it couldn't work worth a damn. So yes, there is an NLRB, and no, it can't do much. Because it was never supposed to.
posted by Harvey Jerkwater at 12:25 PM on June 8, 2015
Honestly, what it sounds like to me is the bullshit in the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Perhaps not quite as dysfunctional (yet). But something about this gives me the same impression.
posted by symbioid at 1:20 PM on June 8, 2015
posted by symbioid at 1:20 PM on June 8, 2015
What a crazy story. All those suggestions are so reasonable. I love how the argument against fixing anything is that no one things this is the number one issue facing the US, as if it wouldn't be easier to deal with important issues like healthcare, climate change, employment laws and education if the politicians weren't so obviously influenced by money. Also, how on earth can Jeb Bush argue that campaign finance times don't apply to him because he has not announced his candidacy yet, he as only announced the date on which he will be announcing his candidacy?
I had the horrible realization this morning that's only 2015 and the election is still a year and a half away.
posted by carolr at 1:32 PM on June 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
I had the horrible realization this morning that's only 2015 and the election is still a year and a half away.
posted by carolr at 1:32 PM on June 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
Also, how on earth can Jeb Bush argue that campaign finance times don't apply to him because he has not announced his candidacy yet, he as only announced the date on which he will be announcing his candidacy?
You'll take that sentiment back on the day he announces he WON'T be running for president, but instead retiring in Italy with the money he got from his exploratory committees.
posted by el io at 1:43 PM on June 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
You'll take that sentiment back on the day he announces he WON'T be running for president, but instead retiring in Italy with the money he got from his exploratory committees.
posted by el io at 1:43 PM on June 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Examining FECal matters is sure to raise a stink.
What a clusterFEC.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 2:16 PM on June 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
What a clusterFEC.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 2:16 PM on June 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
You'll take that sentiment back on the day he announces he WON'T be running for president, but instead retiring in Italy with the money he got from his exploratory committees.
One could only hope.
posted by pjern at 2:46 PM on June 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
One could only hope.
posted by pjern at 2:46 PM on June 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's almost like a closely divided country will produce closely divided independent agencies.
posted by jpe at 2:51 PM on June 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by jpe at 2:51 PM on June 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's almost like a closely divided country will produce closely divided independent agencies.
It's more like when one major party retains power largely though disenfranchisement, they won't agree to any independent technocratic solution which may have the effect of expanding voting rights.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:17 PM on June 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
It's more like when one major party retains power largely though disenfranchisement, they won't agree to any independent technocratic solution which may have the effect of expanding voting rights.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:17 PM on June 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
Wow. Just ... wow.
That's it, it's over. Getting things done on a national level won't work in the US anymore.
Anyone who is sick of this ... you know what?: sick of this SHIT, run for office in your town, county and/or state. That's the only level you might be able to change anything. Because it has been obvious for a while that nationally, the nation has been corrupted and legislated to remain that way. A lot of people, spread geographically, who are sick of this have to step up and run for local office so they can start stopping this locally until the local laws they can pass to limit this kind of nonsense trickle upwards and become law of the land. Have congress-critters explain why they can do this kind of corrupt politics when mayors, county and state representatives can't.
posted by MacD at 4:18 PM on June 8, 2015
That's it, it's over. Getting things done on a national level won't work in the US anymore.
Anyone who is sick of this ... you know what?: sick of this SHIT, run for office in your town, county and/or state. That's the only level you might be able to change anything. Because it has been obvious for a while that nationally, the nation has been corrupted and legislated to remain that way. A lot of people, spread geographically, who are sick of this have to step up and run for local office so they can start stopping this locally until the local laws they can pass to limit this kind of nonsense trickle upwards and become law of the land. Have congress-critters explain why they can do this kind of corrupt politics when mayors, county and state representatives can't.
posted by MacD at 4:18 PM on June 8, 2015
Previously:
posted by cosmic.osmo at 4:24 PM on June 8, 2015
The Republican National Committee is demanding that the Federal Election Commission issue new rules that would shut down groups that are in any way critical of President Bush or members of Congress. Under the proposed rules, nonprofit organizations that advocate for cancer research, gun and abortion restrictions or rights, fiscal discipline, tax reform, poverty issues, immigration reform, the environment, or civil rights or liberties - all these organizations could be transformed into political committees if they criticize or commend members of Congress or the President based on their official actions or policy positions.IIRC, the House, the Senate, and the Presidency were all controlled by Republicans in 2004.
posted by cosmic.osmo at 4:24 PM on June 8, 2015
If you want to understand more of the context, listen to the discussion from their recent meeting (mp3 link at top) and the proposals made in it (PDFs at that page).
They argue over absolutely everything, even stuff that really shouldn't be controversial. It requires 4 votes to pass anything, and since 2008, there's been a very sharp increase in deadlocks.
(Full disclosure: I am the author of a petition for rulemaking to prohibit contribution laundering that's narrower than Ravel & Weintraub's and was submitted about a month ago. It'll be @ FOSERS and available for public comment once the FEC lawyers finish processing it.
I'm also the person who wrote the FEC Bitcoin AOR that got unanimously approved, and the comments that killed the previous one.
So I do have some experience in trying to negotiate compromise positions within the Commission, and a more or less direct involvement in this particular rulemaking.)
posted by saizai at 11:33 AM on June 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
They argue over absolutely everything, even stuff that really shouldn't be controversial. It requires 4 votes to pass anything, and since 2008, there's been a very sharp increase in deadlocks.
(Full disclosure: I am the author of a petition for rulemaking to prohibit contribution laundering that's narrower than Ravel & Weintraub's and was submitted about a month ago. It'll be @ FOSERS and available for public comment once the FEC lawyers finish processing it.
I'm also the person who wrote the FEC Bitcoin AOR that got unanimously approved, and the comments that killed the previous one.
So I do have some experience in trying to negotiate compromise positions within the Commission, and a more or less direct involvement in this particular rulemaking.)
posted by saizai at 11:33 AM on June 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
BTW: if the FEC deadlocks on a MUR ("matter under review" — FEC's civil enforcement proceedings), the complainant can sue the FEC to force (civil) prosecution.
That's actually happening right now, with Public Citizen vs FEC / Crossroads GPS.
Take a look at the Commissioners' statements on this stuff for some more O.o-ery.
posted by saizai at 11:42 AM on June 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
That's actually happening right now, with Public Citizen vs FEC / Crossroads GPS.
Take a look at the Commissioners' statements on this stuff for some more O.o-ery.
posted by saizai at 11:42 AM on June 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by T.D. Strange at 11:23 AM on June 8, 2015 [1 favorite]