Obama proposes closing Commerce Department, merge agencies

Reuters via Financial Post ^ | Jan. 13, 2012 | Staff

[La Enchiladita]

President Barack Obama will ask Congress on Friday for authority to close the Commerce Department and create a new export agency, an overhaul that could save US$3-billion and help inoculate him against Republican election-year charges that he is a big-government liberal.

White House budget official Jeffrey Zients told reporters the reorganization would fold together the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and other trade bodies now spread across Washington, giving businesses a single point of contact and ensuring federal spending goes further to boost exports.

Obama was set to deliver remarks at 11:20 a.m. on the new, yet-to-be-named department that would be tasked with achieving his goal of doubling exports in five years, a key part of his economic agenda as the November presidential vote nears.

[La Enchiladita]

What better day for devastating news than Friday the 13th, eh?

The Democrat was expected to cast it as an effort to make the government leaner and more efficient, reducing bureaucracy for export-oriented companies.

The irony! There is more, if you have the stomach for the spin.

[bgill]

Pulling more departments into his spider’s web of control. If/When he ever leaves office, his (Soro’s and Ayer’s) minions will be able to carry on with their quest.

[Paul Ross]

Close the Commerce Dept....and have his new Cosumer Protection Agency and hyper-inflated EPA take over.

[Don Corleone]

Room for another new uncountable CZAR!

[cripplecreek]

So what happens with the census since Bammy put it under control of the Commerce dept?

[Doogle]

touted...saving 3 billion over ten years, meanwhile our interest alone on debt is 4.5 billion a day

[tet68]

What other areas will he want to cover with the
Commerce Clause after this?

When leftists create larger monolithic agencies,
watch out.

[USNBandit]

Bingo! My thoughts, exactly

[cripplecreek]

As of today the Small Business Administration is a cabinet level position.

[MaxMax]

Obama’s proposal appeared to catch Republicans by surprise. They said they
were reserving judgment until they had seen more details of what he was proposing.

You stinkin cowardice Republicans can read the bill after you pass it. Then tell the public.

Trust isn't an issue anymore since we all know anything Zero touches will eliminate
more American freedoms. This is another Fascist power grab and the President doesn't
need any more power.

Maybe Obama is trying to set new precedent so he can bypass both houses if he wins.

[Doogle]

..his problem is he can’t control all the agencies...he needs them under one guy.

[thouworm]

FRIDAY dump, nevertheless...

FR threads:

Obama wants export agency, closing of Commerce Department

Obama seeks power to merge agencies

Obama to create new Department of Jobs under Commerce Department

[throwback]

Michelle's liking that personal chef. Full campaign mode. Expect to see Barry in a fez driving a little Shriner car this 4th.

[elkfersupper]

Well, I agree with closing Commerce, Education, Energy and numerous other departments, but I do not trust this President.

Consequently, I need to wait for analysis of this typical Friday afternoon news / document dump.

Having said that, I am extremely wary of anything this man does.

[slumber1]

Since he has been working tirelessly to shut down commerce in the US there really will be no need for a commerce department by the time he gets through

[SaxxonWoods]

He’s going to be a hero for saving $3 billion? The govt spends $3 billion about every 45 minutes.

Excuse me, I’ve got eat my peas and air up my tires.

[hinckley buzzard]

I think everyone's skepticism is wellfounded. There is nothing in this clown's DNA that would even allow him to think about reducing anything gubbermint does. If he is allowed to merge these other agencies with Commerce it may look good on paper but the end result will be a large increase in bureaucrats. Count on it. This is a cynical head fake, nothing more. But the stupidoes in the Boehner -McConnell branch of the gop will probably suck it down after a few hems and haws.

[mware]

The Commerce and Defense Depts are the only ones who have given him static on his decision. Makes sense he wants to get rid of the folks in Commerce who have opposed his actions.

[theBuckwheat]

“The Democrat was expected to cast it as an effort to make the government leaner and more efficient, reducing bureaucracy for export-oriented companies.”

Sounds like Obama wants to lean from Bain Capital, except that very few if any of the efficiencies will come from actually reducing headcount. When big government types speak of “reducing bureaucracy”, they mean something that always looks good on paper but will never, ever, happen in real life.

[mckenzie7]

I’d be happpy if he fired his CZARS and Michelle’s 23 ladies in waiting!