I support a BAPFAP Cabinet. Do you?

[Bicoastal]

BAPFAP=

Best
Available
Person
For the
Appointment,
PERIOD.

Regardless of race, religion, creed, color, gender, sexual or political affiliation. Of course, If they have skeletons in their closet, obviously, they should be ruled out--hence the long application process. Likewise, if this person is fully qualified but has a history of working poorly with others or possesses a belief system considered extreme by most, they should not get the nod. But in a way, all of these considerations are not outside of the realm of BAPFAP--if they have these character flaws, they're clearly not the Best.

I want Obama to build the finest Cabinet for his presidency possible, and keep all other considerations out of this. It's time for adults to take over Washington.

[vanderBeth]

1. K&R

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. I agree

and I believe President Elect Obama is wise enough to choose the best person for each job. And he's savvy enough to replace them if they don't work out. His eyes are on the prize--which this time means restoring not only the US but the entire planet.

[Webster Green]

3. I don't like the idea of any repuke in Obama's Cabinet..

Anyone who still claims repuke affiliation at this late date, has serious mental problems. :thumbsdown:

[Bicoastal]

5. I think many of the things the Republicans USED to stand for are valid political beliefs...

...such as small government, state's rights, and higher self-reliance. I don't necessarily agree with all or even any of these ideas, but they're perfectly acceptable sides to take in our current discussion on how to better the nation.

Now, all of the scary "values" stuff they've been high on for the last decade or so is total crap and should be jettisoned from the party immediately. But most of the Republicans under consideration for Obama's cabinet are more reasonable than that.

[Webster Green]

7. Well yes, and they still claim to stand for those things..

The problem is that it's total bullshit.

They are corrupt and they are fucking liars. There is no logical reason to include them in anything unless it is required by law. I want to see them crushed. I want to see them in prison, not in cabinet positions. :mad:

[camera obscura]

11. I don't know. Hagel is a Republican but has supported diplomatic talks with Iran since 2001

I disagree with him on abortion, but that sounds like good international policy to me.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. I could not agree with you more.

[rug]

6. There is no one best available person. There are many. That's why the appointments are political.

[tomp]

9. there are some who just don't belong there.

colin powell is one who comes to mind. there is no job in a legal administration that he would be suited for except...witness.

[qwlauren35]

12. Yes, I hear you but...

I don't think politics should define the INITIAL list. The initial list should be a solid round-up of EVERYONE who is legitimately qualified. Then rule out those have no respect for his authority or would not work for him. Rule out those with obvious skeletons. Then ask the rest if they want to be CONSIDERED. And if so, have them answer that ridiculous questionnaire.

That should knock out 90% of them. And then you should have a workable short list.

[blondeatlast]

8. Yup. nt

[Shanti Mama]

10. absolutely!

[last1standing]

13. BAPFAP is a myth. it doesn't exist. It is a fanasy. It is an argument without merit.

Does that make it clear? If not here are some more.

BAPFAP makes the argument that there are superhumans who are better than the rest of us. It reduces the discussion into black/white, good/evil, left/right, your extremism/my extremism. It removes all possibilities other than your concept of best.

Hopefully that is understood enough to get this next point.

There are many, many people qualified for positions in Obama's cabinet and other high level appointed positions - many more than he could possibly have slots to fill. If appointing a person to a position is able to fulfill the obvious need for qualification AND serve to help others in ways that could promote the concept of equality then that person should be chosen.

In other words, I won't fall into the trap of thinking there is only one person able to fully handle each government role. That is the thought process of children, not adults.

[PretzelWarrior]

14. that's stupid

if you and 5 others show up for the same job as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and one person is black governor, one is a woman in charge of a large business and another is a person with both public and private experience in building codes, urban issues, and other relevant experience, I'd probably go with the one who is already front loaded with experience regardless of superficial qualities.

So..there are people while not superhuman are much better trained in education and background for a particular job than other people.

[last1standing]

15. With that argument, why didn't you vote for McCain?

He had far more experience, didn't he? Oh, that's right you wanted to put someone who you felt would work on your behalf into office. Well so do I and for over 200 years there's been no one willing to appoint a single open GLBT person for a high level position. I just think it's time that someone worked on my behalf, for once.

I'm not saying Obama won't. I'm saying that there are a whole lot of DUers who couldn't give a fuck whether he does. You got yours, right?

[PretzelWarrior]

16. bad analogy

and you found that out middway through your post.

[last1standing]

17. I'm beginning to think that you believe you're far more intelligent than you are.

And we should probably leave this discussion before we say even more.

[PretzelWarrior]

18. fine by me. sounds like you want an affirmative action appointment

and what I'm saying is people choosing a president is not the same as a trained professional executive staffing his cabinet through appointments.

Yes, there is politics involved, but don't tell me Obama or any president shouldn't try to find the best person for the job based on identity politics.

If there are 2 or 3 equally qualified and he chooses someone who happens to be gay, that sounds great and I support it.

Your post just didn't sound like that was what you were offering.

[last1standing]

20. Yes, I want an affirmative action appointment.

If there are equally qualified candidates I want at least one of them to be from the GLBT community. We've waited over 200 years for our voice to be heard and its time, not next week or next year, now. If you don't like that, fine, but I want to see that our president actually gives a Damn about me and my community. I'm tired of us being passed over because the time isn't right.

And I absolutely reject the concept that there is one person who is more qualified than any other human being on the planet to fill each and every role in Obama's government. He will be appointing people based on many criteria including race, sex and religion. I want to see GLBT included in that criteria in a positive way, for once. Too many think that affirmative action is a good thing - until we want some of it for ourselves.

[donheld]

19. An Obama presidency was considered a fantasy till a few short months ago.

[Indi Guy]

21. Obama has to reach out to all, many Conservatives hate what Cheney/Bush has done...

I love Obama's attitude.