how do you hold bureaucracies accountable in the United States?
96073
Last time I checked you cannot recall a career civil servant, nor can you directly vote them out.  We can only hold them accountable by controlling their funding.
532140
Actually, the way it works is this:  Congress passes laws that give general, non-specific instructions to the federal agency (in the executive branch) that is supposed to enforce the rules and follow Congress's instructions.  The laws and the agency regulations are all in place, but the Bush administration has made almost no effort to see that the existing rules are actually enforced.  Mining companies face really small fines for major violations -- smaller than most speeding tickets you or I might get, but most mines have just ignored them and not paid them, and the Bush administration has allowed them to do this.  Congress did its job, but the executive branch has a very poor record on seeing that those laws are actually put into force.
500297
Not to worry, there is enough opposition in the US we have our own, the whole system is meant to support the descent, and therefore opposition to keep the powers in line. See link below or my 260 Blog.
717267
www.congress.org ... go there and make yourself heard!  Second box in center of page says "Take Action," then enter your zip code under "Write Elected Officials."  This will give you options that are easy to follow and you can say everything you want to and demand to know what your Representatives intend to do about it ... and, more importantly, what you intend to do with your votes the next election.\n\nIt's time for all of us to STOP BEING APATHETIC and START BEING PROACTIVE.\n\nIt's past time for another Revolution ~ this one with no weapons other than words and determination.\n\nADD ON:\n\nRegarding the rallying cry, that's certainly not a bad one, but i think the issues are beyond the President; i think it involves all elected officials.  What about "Throw the b*st*rd OUT!" ... that might get the attention of all of them if they knew we were about to exercise our power to do just that.
195272
Interesting question.\n\nSince the nation's government is responsible for a certain amount of infrastructure, disaster relief, law enforcement, and domestic safety and stability it only stands to reason that they DO need money to get the job done.\n\nPeople do not take responsibility for their power in government. I don't know if it's because they don't know how, or if they want to bother, but, it gives them the perfect excuse to view the government as "running amok" over their rights.\n\nThe basic law(s) of the United States are contained in the Constitution which starts "We the People". It does not say "We the chosen few, and only us" or "We, the entitled ones". \n\nThe framers gave us the power to take part in our government. \n\nEach state makes it's own Constitution that only has to be in accordance with the national Constitution. The people in each state are responsible for electing (hiring) local city, county, and state representatives to execute the business of the city, county, and state in accordance with their wishes and to be their (the people's) representative in Washington D.C.\n\nIf people do not exert their power over their local officials, then they cannot complain when we get laws they don't like, or when we have a President that they feel is out of touch with them.\n\n"American Politics" has turned into a game that seems based on money only because people apparently can't be bothered to participate in governing the country.\n\nPeople taking back their power "does not" mean demonstrating and saying hateful things. The Japanese have learned this and the American Indian has learned this. \n\nYou take power back by getting educated enough to beat the oppressor's at their own games - using their laws.\n\nIt's so funny that Americans will spend hours and hours reading up on how to beat a computer game and then more hours and hours playing the game over and over so that it actually begins to resemble work. And what do they get? Some "rep" that means little when you have to pay the bills.\n\nWhy can't they do the same to ensure the continuation of their own freedoms?\n\nI wonder if you'll even read this since it doesn't necessarily fit into any of the "politically correct" ways of thinking from either political party.\n\nAnyway, hope this helps.\n\nAdded: \n\nPerfect example below. People can send for proposed bills and get a free copy mailed to them so they can study it. Then they can get other like-minded people in the community to lobby against it.\n\nHow many times do you just brush by someone at a grocery store, etc., that has a petition to sign? If you never bother to read it how do you know if what they are petitioning is to your benefit or detriment?\n\nIt's not the government's fault if people insist on putting education, and participation in government, aside so they can party all the time.\n\nAnd yes, some of the representatives in government fervently hope that you stay focused on parties, sex, clothing, makeup and the false tension between political parties. It allows them to do things you'd be outraged at if you only paid attention.\n\nUse your people power. Pay attention to the correct things and get involved.
862554
Consult The Book of U.S. Government Jobs at your local library, take the Federal Civil Service Exam, or the exam for those who want to become a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. \n\nCollege students can talk to their counselors or contact the office at their college in charge of job placement. \n\nConsider making some political connections. Politicians do make for some "strange" bedfellows; but, they tend to "bed" with their own.
616990
To keep America in check.
897613
the only day you have any power over your government is on voting day. then after that you have no power. they can promise you the whole world the day before election but there is nothing there to say they will have to keep there promises after you vote.and they can keep on lying for the next 4 or 5 years and you cant do anything about it . oh what a great democracy we live in . we are just numbers to them. they need spin doctors to make there lies sound convincing. and we pay for them to.
1148369
Start at the local level.  Your state legislators, Representatives and Senators.  Trust me, the power starts from the grassroots up.  This is what the process is all about and how true change occurs.  Get other folks on the bandwagon.  There is strength in numbers.
190339
In some states, the state legislature has to vote to certify the elections.  In others, it is the Executive branch.
758538
The CBO is a legislative agency that advises Congress on general budget matters (cost projections of new legislation, tax cuts).  The agency is first and foremost accountable to Congress, specifically the Budget Committees.\n\nOMB, on the other hand, is an executive agency, a branch of the White House that oversees the operations of federal departments and agencies.  In the budget process, they work with agencies to formulate their budgets that will be rolled up into the President's budget and presented to Congress.  OMB also monitors agencies' performance and ensures that they comply with executive policies.  OMB is accountable to the President.\n\nIn Congress, the Budget Committees look at the big picture fiscal situation (i.e. total revenue vs. total expenditures).  They work out the details of a Budget Resolution that sets a general target for spending.  The Appropriations Committees (and their subcommittees that oversee specific parts of the budget, like Defense) look more at the details (e.g. the specific funding for an agency or program).  The Appropriations Committees and their subcommittees work out the details of these budgets before sending on the appropriations bills to their respective chambers for a vote.
254277
Bureaucracy is inefficient and mismanaged.  Government bureaucracies are not responsive to their constituents like a private business is responsive to their customers -- this is because bureaucrats salaries are paid irregardless of whether they actually help anyone.  Furthermore, bureaucracy is a waste of taxpayer dollars.  Not to mention the fact that dealing with bureaucrats and all their red tape is extremely frustrating.
11562
There are many safety catches, committees, etc. to watch for accountability in the house and senate, but ultimately their accountability rests with the voters.  We can vote them out of office.  That's why informed voting is so critical.
1122344
I believe that government officials should be held accountable for their actions just as I am held accountable as a civilian for my actions.\nGovernment   officials are obligated to serve the best interests of their constituents.This includes peace time as well as war time.If a government official or agency  betrays the trust of the people then  it should be challenged in court.especially if the actions result in the loss of life or permanent injury.\n\nI personally had relatives that served in Vietnam and when they returned their life was changed forever.It is especially heart wrentching to know many soldiers were drafted even though it was believed that the Vietnam War was not winnable.Who was looking out for the best interest of the American soldier?
774111
Yep.....it's easier. Also you can't be held accountable later when something horrible goes wrong at the hands of the guy you voted for.......
787404
democratic government has to have checks and balances, every other country wants a reproduction of american democracy system but their system will not necessarily reflect the values and principles - for instance american government was instituted by the people for the people, british government was instituted for the land owning gentry and does not afford as much power to the common man. an elected second assembly (or houses of parliament) would not have the same effect in our country as it does in america, you would have to appoint people from the streets possible randomly in some cases to have the same effect in britain as in america\n\nthe amendments to the american constitution since the 1970s have eroded the power of the people slightly, there needs to be a lot of work done to redress the balance - europe also has a lot of work to do on this count
168268
Every man works according to his agenda what he says.Government is the result of people's consent. What you see on the surface, US government does all the things according to the its agenda.