Stop politicking on the job

The Hatch Act of 1939 prohibits federal employees from participating in partisan political activities during taxpayer-paid office hours. Yet there have been numerous instances in which White House officials have conducted political activities at federal agencies. “How many government agencies might have been despoiled by the White House’s substitution of political machinations for honorable service?” a New York Times editorial asked. “Taxpayers deserve answers.”
Posted by Patrice Hein

7 Comments

  1. Jed
    Posted April 30, 2007 at 5:08 am | Permalink

    Of course they did political acts; they’re politicians, that’s what they do! Expecting they’ll turn it off for a little thing like the law is the same as asking a skunk not to wear his stripe at certain functions where people might find it offensive!

  2. steve
    Posted April 30, 2007 at 7:18 am | Permalink

    I think it may also be the Hatch act that prohibits job retaliation for political reasons.

  3. Stopthemadness
    Posted April 30, 2007 at 8:35 am | Permalink

    What is the difference between policy and politics? Unfortunately, the determination often hinges on whether the federal employee agrees with the policy. If they do not then it has the potential of becoming “political.” Every administration for the past hundred years has faced the same problem.

  4. captain_poindexter
    Posted April 30, 2007 at 9:04 am | Permalink

    uh, all you have to do is look to sebelius’ office for politics on the public dime.her top legislative helpers are her campaign people, same as her “spokeswoman”

    funny how the intern forgets to look closer to home.

  5. ksgrm
    Posted April 30, 2007 at 9:37 am | Permalink

    Cap you are so right. We overlook that patch of weeds in our front yard until the neighbor has one just like it and then it becomes an eyesore. Go figure.

  6. Republican
    Posted April 30, 2007 at 10:05 am | Permalink

    “The two real political parties in America are the Winners and the Losers. The people don’t acknowledge this. They claim membership in two imaginary parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, instead.”

    - Kurt Vonnegut

  7. CF2K
    Posted April 30, 2007 at 12:43 pm | Permalink

    So, Right Wingers, do you disapprove of firing U.S. Attorneys who resist political pressure to prosecute baseless claims of Democratic voter fraud, or don’t you?