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>They are democratically elected. No they're not. The only person in the Executive branch (which includes all cabinet positions) who is elected is the Presiden

by yucky 5y ago

>They are democratically elected. No they're not. The only person in the Executive branch (which includes all cabinet positions) who is elected is the President, with whoever their VP is riding along on the ticket..

reducesuffering 5y ago
That's a technicality. People vote for Presidents by including the combo of them and their VP pick. The VP pick is known, even on the ballot, and understood to assume the President's role in case of emergency. So it's quite realistic to say we know full well we're voting for the package. I wouldn't extend this to the President's cabinet, as these people aren't known to us when voting.
- yucky 5y ago
  >I wouldn't extend this to the President's cabinet, as these people aren't known to us when voting. Which is the bigger point, since that is who makes up the government. Not just the cabinet heads, but all of the undersecretaries and department heads etc. There are hundreds (or more) of appointed positions in the Executive Branch. People like Fauci have never been elected to anything so I don't see how the comment I replied to can make that stance.
  - reducesuffering 5y ago
    Agreed. My mistake, I thought you were emphasizing how the VP isn't democratically elected, on my first pass read.
  - geysersam 5y ago
    Of course not everyone in the government apparatus are elected. The post I replied to explicitly refered to politicians. But I also don't think public servants (Fauci etc) should be punished. Again, for what crime? They receive orders, in the form of laws, court decisions or executive orders from elected representatives. As long as they fulfill their duties implementing those orders they are not responsible for the consequences in the eyes of the law. The elected representatives are however responsible for the laws and directives they make. And they do face that responsibility when they meet the voters. Ultimately the voters are responsible to elect sensible people.

by yucky 5y ago

reducesuffering 5y ago

That's a technicality. People vote for Presidents by including the combo of them and their VP pick. The VP pick is known, even on the ballot, and understood to assume the President's role in case of emergency. So it's quite realistic to say we know full well we're voting for the package. I wouldn't extend this to the President's cabinet, as these people aren't known to us when voting.

yucky 5y ago
>I wouldn't extend this to the President's cabinet, as these people aren't known to us when voting. Which is the bigger point, since that is who makes up the government. Not just the cabinet heads, but all of the undersecretaries and department heads etc. There are hundreds (or more) of appointed positions in the Executive Branch. People like Fauci have never been elected to anything so I don't see how the comment I replied to can make that stance.
- reducesuffering 5y ago
  Agreed. My mistake, I thought you were emphasizing how the VP isn't democratically elected, on my first pass read.
- geysersam 5y ago
  Of course not everyone in the government apparatus are elected. The post I replied to explicitly refered to politicians. But I also don't think public servants (Fauci etc) should be punished. Again, for what crime? They receive orders, in the form of laws, court decisions or executive orders from elected representatives. As long as they fulfill their duties implementing those orders they are not responsible for the consequences in the eyes of the law. The elected representatives are however responsible for the laws and directives they make. And they do face that responsibility when they meet the voters. Ultimately the voters are responsible to elect sensible people.