**Another UPDATE at end of this BLOG!*** NOW PAST 27 and CLIMBING!
Part One Of My Series: http://romanticpoet.wordpress.com/2009/06/15/obamas-czars-21-and-counting-partial-list-here-and-connections/
**Update! NOW at 33 Czars and continuing to climb. Go HERE
Now For the continuing list of Czars and their connections. It is lengthy, but contains links to verify information or to further your understanding of their backgrounds.
Economic Czar:
Paul A. Volcker
Relationship map:
http://www.muckety.com/E338396E736D96C863D6429B872F9866.map
Paul A. Volcker current relationships:
American Assembly – trustee
Aspen Institute – lifetime trustee
Concord Coalition – director
Financial Services Volunteer Corps – honorary chairman
Group of Thirty – chairman of the board
International House – chairman
I.O.U.S.A. – interviewed in film
Japan Society – life director
Obama-Biden economic advisory team – member
Peterson Institute for International Economics – director
President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board – chairman
Paul A. Volcker past relationships:
2008 Barack Obama presidential campaign – supporter
E. Gerald Corrigan – special assistant
Federal Reserve Bank of New York – president
Federal Reserve System – chairman
Trilateral Commission – chairman
Wolfensohn & Company, LLC – chairman
Map of Paul Volcker’s connections:
http://www.muckety.com/Paul-A-Volcker/2400.muckety
One main issue:
Contemplating VAT tax to pay for Obama’s huge spending bills
Facing a historic national debt that President Obama correctly characterized as “unsustainable,” yet still desiring to implement some sort of national health-care package, US policymakers, notably Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad and former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, have recently hinted at the possibility of a national sales tax. More specifically, they hint at possible implementation of a national value-added tax (VAT) which would tax at a certain rate the difference between the cost of inputs and the price of the output along each individual step of production.
Beyond the factual objection that a national tax on consumption would fall disproportionately on low-income consumers who spend a greater percentage of their income on consumption goods and save at a lower rate than do higher-income consumers, the VAT is a particularly odious proposal for all consumers because of its effect on overall economic activity.
http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=1948
Government Performance Czar:
Jeffrey Zients
How can this person look at accountability and performance when he is connected to investment groups?
He is a member of the Economic Club of Washington to begin with. Note HERE: Vernon E. Jordan Jr. is president of the Economic Club. He is the great uncle of VALERIE JARRETT. Economic Club boasts 388 members.
View map of his connections here:
http://www.muckety.com/E90DA3549F6158F4B6E81CC2DE4B0760.map
Revolution Health Group is a United States-based corporation founded in July 2005 by Steve Case, who previously co-founded America Online. Revolution Health’s stated mission is to change healthcare by giving people the tools, information and support to manage their health and wellness actively.
Revolution Health Group is one of three companies in the Revolution LLC group of companies.
Of interesting note: Notice Frank Raines (The previous CEO of Fannie Mae with his golden parachute of MILLIONS after the downfall of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac is a member of Revolution Health Group AND is also a member of the Economic Club of Washington.
Company Overview
Revolution LLC is a principal investment firm specializing in investments in resort, living, and health sectors. The firm seeks to take controlling stake in its portfolio companies. Revolution LLC was founded in April 2005 by Mr. Steve Case, Mr. Donn Davis, and Mr. Tige Savage and is based in Washington, D.C.
Jeffrey D. Zients current relationships:
Economic Club of Washington – member
Portfolio Logic, LLC – managing member
Revolution Health Group – director
Jeffrey D. Zients past relationships:
Advisory Board Company – CEO
From SourceWatch
Border Czar:
Alan D. Bersin
Alan D. Bersin was appointed as California’s Secretary of Education on July 1, 2005 by Govenor Arnold Schwarzenegger. [1]
Prior to commencing that position in May 2005, Bersiin was the Superintendent of Public Education of the San Diego Unified School District. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the National Council on Teacher Quality.
Bersin, a classmate both to William Jefferson Clinton and Albert Gore, Jr., graduated from Harvard, class of 1968.
He was U.S. Attorney General Special Representative for Southwest Border Issues between 1995 to 1998.
http://sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Alan_D._Bersin
Alan Bersin was appointed to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders on December 4, 2006; confirmed by the San Diego City Council, and elected Board Chairman by his colleagues. Previously, Bersin served as California’s Secretary of Education between July 2005 and December 2006 in the Administration of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Governor Schwarzenegger also appointed Bersin to the State Board of Education where he continues to serve as a member confirmed by the California State Senate. Between 1998 and 2005, he served as Superintendent of Public Education in San Diego where he launched a major reorganization of the district to focus its resources strategically on instruction and to modernize its business infrastructure in order to support teaching and learning in the classroom. In a related capacity statewide, Bersin served between 2000 and 2003 as a member of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and for which he was selected by his colleagues as chairman in December 2000 for a two-year term. Prior to becoming the leader of the nation’s eighth largest urban school district, he was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California and confirmed in that capacity by the U.S. Senate. Bersin served as U.S. Attorney for nearly five years and as the Attorney General’s Southwest Border Representative responsible for coordinating federal law enforcement on the border from South Texas to Southern California.
Bersin was a senior partner in the Los Angeles law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson, where he served on the firm’s policy and compensation committees and was principally responsible for developing the firm’s innovative paralegal program. He also chaired the committee overseeing the firm’s extensive program of pro bono legal services, which is widely acknowledged as a model for major law firms. At Munger, Tolles & Olson, Bersin specialized in complex RICO, securities, commercial and insurance litigation before state and federal trial and appellate courts. He is a member of the California and Alaska bars.
Other professional experience includes employment as Special Counsel to the Los Angeles Police Commission, as visiting professor of law at the University of San Diego School of Law, as an adjunct professor of law at Boalt Hall, University of California, Berkeley and at the University of Southern California Law Center, and as a Lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education.
Bersin serves as a member of the Board of Overseers for Harvard University and as Chair of the Visiting Committee for the Harvard Graduate School of Education; as President/Chairman of the Board of Directors of Education Sector; as an Affiliated Scholar for the Center for American Progress; and as a Trustee of The Neurosciences Institute. He has served as a member of the Policy Board of EdVoice, as the Chair of the Combined Federal Campaign, United Way in San Diego; as a member of the Board of Directors of the San Diego County YMCA; as a member of the Steering Committee of San Diego Dialogue; as a member of the Advisory Board, Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (UCSD); as a member of the Council of Visitors, California Western School of Law; on the Board of Directors of Public Counsel, and the San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program; and as a Master in the Enright Inn of Court. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Pacific Council on International Policy.
In 1968, Bersin received his A.B. in government from Harvard University (magna cum laude). He was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society and awarded post-graduate scholarships by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Football Hall of Fame. While at Harvard, Bersin was selected as a member of the All-Ivy, All-New England and All-East Football Teams and was inducted into the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1995. From 1969 to 1971, Bersin attended Balliol College at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. In 1974, he received his J.D. degree from the Yale Law School. Bersin was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws (Honorary) by the University of San Diego in 1994, by California Western School of Law in 1996, and by the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2000. He is fluent in Spanish.
Bersin was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended public schools in New York City. He is married to Judge Lisa Foster and is the father of three daughters: Alissa, Madeleine and Amalia Rose.
Areas of expertise: Education
http://www.americanprogressaction.org/aboutus/staff/scholars/BersinAlan.html
Of note here: Alan Bersin is a member of the CFR (Council on Foreign Relations)
Intelligence Czar:
Dennis Blair
UPDATE II: It’s being rumored that Admiral Dennis Blair will be picked to become the next Director of National Intelligence.
Here’s Blair’s Wikipedia page.
Here’s more from Politico:
In addition to leading Pacific Command and filling several high-powered jobs within the military, Blair was the associate director of central intelligence for military support, coordinating intelligence and military operations during the Clinton administration. He retired from the Navy in 2002.
Blair receives high marks from those in the defense and intelligence communities.
[...]
But the picture isn’t entirely rosy.
From 2003 to 2007, Blair was the president of the Institute for Defense Analysis. And his time at IDA could provide fodder for a contentious confirmation hearing.
Blair worked on a report that helped the Air Force decide to pursue a multiyear contract for F-22 Raptor fighter jets. At the same time, he was on the board of EDO Corp., a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin on the F-22 project.
After news reports about the apparent conflict of interest, Blair resigned as the head of IDA and his board seat at EDO.
Sources familiar with his background said they don’t see the incident as an impediment to his confirmation. But the Project on Government Oversight, which investigated the incident, said it’s concerned.
http://democrashield.com/2008/12/18/hilda-solis-for-labor-secretary/
March 11, 2009
DNI Dennis Blair ‘Manipulated Intelligence’ Before Congress
By Ed Lasky
Note: An interesting read.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/03/dni_dennis_blair_manipulated_i.html
Blair, a former classmate of Oliver North at the US Naval Academy , was Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Pacific Command (20 Feb 1999 – 2 May 2002).
Blair was the highest ranking U.S. military official in the region during the final period of violence in East Timor, as Indonesian security forces and their militias killed, looted, and destroyed the country’s infrastructure.
Etan.org provides some details
( http://www.etan.org/et99b/september/26-30/27nairn.htm / http://www.etan.org/news/2000a/01wpblair.htm):
In April 1999, Blair met in Jakarta with General Wiranto, then the Defense Minister and the commander of Indonesian forces, just days after dozens of refugees in a Catholic church in the town of Liquica, East Timor were hacked to death by machetes by militia members backed by the military (including Kopassus) and Brimob troops.
Instead of pressuring Wiranto to shut down the militias, Blair promised new military assistance, which the military “took as a green light to proceed with the militia operation,” according to Allan Nairn, writing in the Nation magazine at the time….
“Blair was fully aware of what was going on in East Timor at the time…
“From a windowless concrete building near Blair’s Pacific Command headquarters, seven intelligence analysts at the ‘Joint Intelligence Center,’ the world’s largest military intelligence center, had tracked the movements of Indonesian and militia forces since May 1998,” according to the Washington Post.
On 20 December 2008, we learn: Obama is to tap a retired admiral as his intelligence czar.
http://aangirfan.blogspot.com/2008/12/admiral-dennis-blair-and-genocide.html
and this:
http://aangirfan.blogspot.com/2009/01/admiral-dennis-blair-lied-about-church.html
Muckety map of Blair’s connections:
http://www.muckety.com/BECB5593E1813EC4FB6BC46B166FF69B.map
Pay Czar:
Kenneth R. Feinberg
Vice Chair of Human Rights First.org
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/about_us/staff/board.aspx
Connected to Harold Koh; internationalist tied to Soros
http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?partner=networkforgood&npoId=389779
Was administrative assistant to Sen. Edward (Ted) Kennedy.
[My note here: How does being connected to the Human Rights.org give him expertise in Executive Pay in american business again? Hello?]
Muckety map of connections:
http://www.muckety.com/EC06026AB99B589DEB2A917A0EBAFE52.map
Great Lakes Cleanup Czar:
Cameron Davis
http://best-lawyer.tistory.com/entry/On-the-Issues-with-Cameron-DavisENVIRONMENTAL-LAW-47
Cameron Davis has an extensive background in Environmental Law and has worked with both the United Nations and the Environmental Protection Agency. He is President and CEO of the Chicago based Alliance For the Great Lakes. Cameron is involved in the Great Lakes Compact.
Testimony of Cameron Davis before the US commission on Ocean Policy 2002
http://oceancommission.gov/meetings/sep24_25_02/davis_testimony.pdf
Senate approves Great Lakes compact
Associated Press — 8/01/2008
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/index.php?ntid=298934
The best list here on Obama’s czars:
1. Af-Pak (Afghanistan-Pakistan) Czar: Richard Holbrooke
2. Bailout Czar: Herb Allison
3. Border Czar: Alan Bersin
4. Car Czar: Steven Rattner
5. Climate Czar: Todd Stern
6. Cyber Security Czar: vacant
7. Drug Czar: Gil Kerlikowske
8. Economic Czar: vacant
9. Energy Czar: Carol M. Browner
10. Faith-based Czar: Joshua DuBois
11. Great Lakes Cleanup Czar: Cameron Davis
12. Green Jobs Czar: Van Jones
13. Guantanamo Closure Czar: Daniel Fried
14. Health Reform Czar: Nancy-Ann DeParle
15. Health Infotech Czar: David Blumenthal
16. Middle East Czar: George Mitchell
17. Non-Proliferation (WMD) Czar: Gary Samore
18. Pay (Compensation) Czar: Kenneth Feinberg
19. Persian Gulf & Southwest Asia Czar: Dennis Ross
20. Regulatory Czar: Cass Sunstein
21. Science Czar: John Holdren
22. Stimulus Accountability Czar: Earl Devaney
23. Sudan Czar: Scott Gration
24. TARP Czar: Elizabeth Warren
25. Technology Czar: Vivek Kundra
26. Terrorism Czar: John Brennan
27. Urban Czar: Aldolfo Carrion, Jr.
End note: I will follow up with Obama Czar list Part THREE when I complete my research.
UPDATE: List of Czars now at 33 and counting. Congress wants to add #34!
I will say this over and over again until AMERICA GETS IT!
It is ALL ABOUT POWER…….AND MONEY!
Addendum: My ultimate questions are…..WHERE are the Czar’s housed/WHERE are their offices? HOW MANY federal staff members do they have or are allowed to hire; Secretaries, researchers, legal team, etc.
Are the Czars and their new staff members part of what Obama has claimed as “saved or created” jobs?
[...] http://romanticpoet.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/obamas-czar-list-continued-21-and-counting-part-two/ [...]
I cannot believe that congress and american people are just letting obama get away with this power and money grab. How long will this continue before it is stopped. i have written my senator Kay Hagin D and Rep. Mike McIntyre about this situation and have not received a reply. I only recieved a response from senator Burr R of NC. I am really stressed out about the aroggrance of obama and this administration.
It is about time American’s displayed their anger about Obama’s pursuing his actual goals for power and money by dictating laws, decisions and creating Czars to diminish our freedom. When I think of contacting Barney Frank to stop Obama, I get sick. Barney is just along for the ride!
I too have contacted Senator Hagen’s office on several occasions. The screener was bored ;but promised to pass along my comments. Why do we vote for these representatives who ignor the will of the voters to please the party lines. As I told them, I did not vote for Harry Reid, I voted for the people of North Carolina to be represented. They feel that the democratic machine will re-elect them, not the people. We need CHANGE from arrogrant politicians NOW. J.N., Greensboro, NC.
Response by Romanticpoet:
The “Checks and Balances” of our government have been grabbed by the Democrats under lies and the HOPE and CHANGE theory. They control Congress, the White House and soon the majority of the Supreme Court.
The only way to bring balance back is to vote for anyone running for office for the next three years that is NOT a DEMOCRAT! Vote for Republican, Independent or even “No Party”
Otherwise we are doomed to follow the path to Socialism/Communism a la Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.
I’m writing my Congressmen, the DNC, even the damn President. It’s doing no good because it seems that there is no way to stop this from happening.
What we need is a million man march on Washington or something akin to that to show those pompus asses that we mean business. We are making it too easy for them to ignore us. We need something more drastic. Peaceful for now.
Who pays for these czars, their staffs, their office spaces and other expenses?
I received the following e-mail message – looks like Michele is trying to catch up:
+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
Subject: Fw: This should make you a little angry
WOW, talk about cutting unnecessary expenses…………………………………………………
Michele Obama does not get paid to serve as the First Lady and she doesn’t perform any official duties. But this hasn’t deterred her from hiring an unprecedented number of staffers to cater to her every whim.
Just think Mary Lincoln was taken to task for purchasing china for the White House during the Civil War. And Mamie Eisenhower had to shell out the salary for her personal secretary.
How things have changed!
1. $172,2000 – Sher, Susan (Chief Of Staff)
2. $140,000 – Frye, Jocelyn C. (Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy And Projects For The First Lady)
3. $113,000 – Rogers, Desiree G. (Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary)
4. $102,000 – Johnston, Camille Y. (Special Assistant to the President and Director of Communications for the First Lady)
5. Winter, Melissa E. (Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
6. $90,000 – Medina, David S. (Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
7. $84,000 – Lelyveld, Catherine M. (Director and Press Secretary to the First Lady)
8. $75,000 – Starkey, Frances M. (Director of Scheduling and Advance for the First Lady)
9. $70,000 – Sanders, Trooper (Deput y Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady)
10. $65,000 – Burnough, Erinn J. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)
11. Reinstein, Joseph B. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)
12. $62,000 – Goodman, Jennifer R. (Deputy Director of Scheduling and Events Coordinator For The First Lady)
13. $60,000 – Fitts, Alan O. (Deputy Director of Advance and Trip Director for the First Lady)
14. Lewis, Dana M. (Special Assistant and Personal Aide to the First Lady)
15. $52,500 – Mustaphi, Semonti M. (Associate Director and Deputy Press Secretary To The First Lady)
16. $50,000 – Jarvis, Kristen E. (Special Assistant for Scheduling and Traveling Aide To The First Lady)
17. $45,000 – Lechtenberg, Tyler A. (Associate Director of Correspondence For The First Lady)
18. Tubman, Samantha (Deputy Associate Director, Social Office)
19. $40,000 – Boswell, Joseph J. (Executive Assistant to the Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
20. $36,000 – Armbruster, Sally M. (Staff Assistant to the Social Secretary)
21. Bookey, Natalie (Staff Assistant)
22. Jackson, Deilia A. (Deputy Associate Director of Correspondence for the First Lady)
THE SUM OF THE ABOVE FIGURES IS $1,216,700.00 AND THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ITEMS 5, 11, 18, 21 AND 22 WHICH SHOW NO SALARIES – DO YOU SUPPOSE THEY WORK FOR NOTHING?????
There has never been anyone in the White House at any time that has created such an army of staffers whose sole duties are the facilitation of the First Lady’s social life. One wonders why she needs so much help, at taxpayer expense, when even Hillary, only had three; Jackie Kennedy one; Laura Bush one; and prior to Mamie Eisenhower social help came from the President’s own pocket.
Note: This does not include makeup artist Ingrid Grimes-Miles, 49, and “First Hairstylist” Johnny Wright, 31, both of whom traveled aboard Air Force One to Europe.
Copyright 2009 Canada Free Press.Com canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/12652
Response by Romanticpoet:
I think it is time for Glenn Beck or FoxNews to file a FOIA to the Government Accountibility Office inquiring about EACH Czar, their staff and office space costs.
Time to make Obama “Transparent” as he said he would be on the Campaign trail.
Re: Michelle….I wrote a blog about “Do the Obamas Consider Themselves Royalty”…..
The Kobi beef ($100/lb.) and Champagne dinners, Date Nights flying to New York, the Hawaiian Luau on the Fourth of July for Congress with Obama’s personal Hawaiian chef, Hawaiian produce flown FROM Hawaii, and the fire dancers shipped in from Hawaii for entertainment….Michelle called it a party with a few torches and stuff……
The American taxpayers are on the HOOK for all these extravagant “Parties” and dinners….THESE were NOT heads of State…..these were Congressional members and the Progressive activists that put Obama in the White House.
This has to stop!Where is the CHECKS AND BALANCES?
Obama has total control with all the Czars they do not have to go before congress.This is a total take over by Obama he will answer to no ONE.
WHERE THE HELL IS CONGRESS IN ALL THIS TAKE OVER.
Response by Romanticpoet:
There is a Bill in Congress relating to this:
H.R. 3226, The Czar Accountability and Reform (CZAR) Act of 2009
H.R. 3226 would provide that appropriated funds may not be used to pay for any salaries or expenses of any task force, council, or similar office which is established by or at the direction of the President and headed by an individual who has been inappropriately appointed to such position (on other than an interim basis), without the advice and consent of the Senate.
http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_3226.html
FINALLY!
Introduced 7/15/09
Where are the MSM’s in broadcasting this Nationwide? The Democrats and wishy-washy Republicans will probably never let this bill see the “light” of the House Floor. But, it is our Constitutional duty to spread this far and wide. It is up to the American citizens/patriots to support Rep. Jack Kingston of Georgia (for himself, Mr. CARTER, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. BROUN of Georgia, Mr. LATTA, Mrs. BACHMANN, Mr. POE of Texas, Mr. PITTS, Mr. FLEMING, Mr. LINDER, Mr. CAMPBELL, Mr. CHAFFETZ, Mr. KING of Iowa, Mr. HOEKSTRA, Ms. FALLIN, Mr. SHADEGG, and Mr. LAMBORN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
There are 34 co-sponsors FOR this bill.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3226:
This bill will probably stagnate in the House and die.
The one to watch is THIS ONE:
H.J.RES.5 : Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the twenty-second article of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President.
Sponsor: Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 2/9/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Americans need to TRACK this bill and flag it so you are notified of ANY ACTIONS on this bill!