Non-Elected Lifers Inside the Beltway
* Catherine Whiting’s article (Jan. 5) about “Term Limits for Those Other Politicians” was a witty reminder of a weak link in our democratic process.
A similar weakness has roots in our non-elected bureaucracy, and the Capitol teems with them.
These are bona fide CDCOs (Certified DC Occupants), folk who hustle to Washington when friends come to office and have a finger in the appointment pie.
Few are world-class specialists, but--not to worry--all know if they screw up too badly at what they are appointed to do, they’ll be transferred (up a notch, usually) to something else.
If the private sector followed this jolly folkway, we’d hire a plumber to come fix a leak, discover after a while he doesn’t know how, so be obligated to keep him on to paint the house.
WILLARD HANZLIK
Seal Beach
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
