The Federal Activity Bill [PASSED + SIGNED]

[Niles Caulder]

I believe provisions 1-3 dealing with the Vice President and President would require a constitutional ammendment to enact.  I think perhaps there's no need to do so, when all of this business can be handled by the process of impeachment that's already legal.

I think Senator King's criteria for legislature activity are fine.

I'm unsure what "pieces of work" would eventually mean in a technical sense...but really anything less than twice a week is a hindrance to the team.  Could I suggest the following:

First and foremost, Cabinet officers serve at the pleasure of the President, who may release them from service at whim.

Failure of a Cabinet Officer to represent the Department publically, report Departmental business to the President or Senate, or administer relevent Department obligations (as determined by the GM) on at least a weekly basis is Official Negligence, and grounds for automatic removal from office.  

A majority vote of the Senate or citation by the GM or Secretary of Forum Affairs is sufficient to invoke this automatic suspension, unless the citation is nullified by the discovery and posting of adequate Departmental business having been conducted within the appropriate time frame of alleged negligence.

An ejected office holder may only resume his/her post if renominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Preplanned absences of office holders may be accomodated at the government's discression.[/i]

[Niles Caulder]

Yeah, sorry--I forgot to specify this was regarding Cabinet officers.  Have at it, but I'm just as receptive to constructive criticism.

I said automatic "suspension" when "removal" was the correct word choice.  Be sure to switch that in the final version or some scurvy lawyer will try to argue the bill implies an appeal process.  (I think an appeal process is unnessesary:  If a cabinet officer has enough clout to get ushered right back into office with 2 branches of govt. behind him, that's appeal enough...and in that case it was the GM who completely fouled up and needs to be ushered out himself.)

[Niles Caulder]

I like it

except for letting the judges off the hook i like it.

Doesn't the Senate already have the authority to remove Justices as well, now that I think about it?

[Niles Caulder]

Shoot, I'll just reword it...needs it:

First and foremost, Cabinet officers serve at the pleasure of the President, who may release them from service at whim.

Failure of a Cabinet Officer to represent the Department publically, report Departmental business to the President or Senate, or administer relevent Department obligations (as determined by the GM) on at least a weekly basis is Official Negligence, and grounds for automatic removal from office.  

A majority vote of the Senate or citation by either the GM or Secretary of Forum Affairs is sufficient to invoke this automatic removal, unless prior to the confirmation of a new officer the citation is nullified by the discovery and posting of evidence of adequate Departmental business having been conducted within the appropriate time frame of alleged negligence.

An ejected office holder may only resume his/her post if renominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Preplanned absences of office holders may be accomodated at the government's discression.[/i]

I felt like requiring the President to refill the post may not be good law.  Suppose Labor got staffed but abandoned, the President can just leave it unmanned as it is now.

[Niles Caulder]

Part V  The GM

1.  Failure on the part of the GM to either report to or correspond with either the President, his/her cabinet, the Senate Floor, or in the public forum venue with no less frequency than a weekly basis is Forum Negligence, and is sufficient grounds for automatic removal from the post.

2.  A majority vote in the Senate or a citation by the President is sufficient to invoke this automatic removal, unless prior to the appointment of a new GM evidence is discovered and posted of sufficient activity within the time frame of alleged negligence.

3.  For negligence or any other failure of necessary and adequate job performance and decorum, upon citation of such by the President to the Forum Moderator, the Forum Moderator may convene a private meeting including any and only those s/he sees fit for the purpose of determining the necessity of removing the GM from his/her post.  The Forum Moderator may then soley elect to so remove the GM.

4.  A bill passed by 2/3 margin of the Senate and signed by the President is sufficient to remove the GM from his/her post for any reason.

Global Goose and Gander Goodness.

Plus I'm not entirely sure how I even got this job.  I'd like an idea of how I can lose it.  Perhaps this legislation is becoming "The Forum and Federal Negligence Code" ?

[Niles Caulder]

I think this a proper solution to a problem that even I sometimes are a part of. Unfortunatley, I can see recall elections happening VERY often if this bill passes. I would like to hear from Senator Hughento and Senator StatesRights on the matter.

Recalling senators because they fail to adequtely perform their duties is wrong?

I am simply saying, Mr. King, that it may become repetitive if a senator is elected, and say, two weeks later, becomes inactive, and a recall election. Then bam, three weeks after that, said senator becomes lazy again. Another recall election? We'd have a problem.

Interesting question:  I'd think on one hand if the Senate set the standard (and more importantly...enforced it), the guy who got ejected would have a smudge on his record in trying to run again.  Even a novice opponant would be looking attractive to the average voter who could say "well at least I won't get kicked out office for truancy!"

But on the other hand, if an entire District electorate got its kicks by re-electing a guy who does nothing but announce he's running for re-election in endless special elections...I guess that's their prerogative.  Needless to say, that hypothetical District is sacrificing its political voice in the Senate to do so.

[Niles Caulder]

Get well soon, Senator!