The public is told the problem is a "do-nothing congress," a "bitterly divided congress" that can't "get things done" when the truth is that "staggering" amounts of things are "getting done" via thousands of laws passed yearly by the executive branch:
"The vast majority of “laws” governing the United States are not passed by Congress but are issued as regulations, crafted largely by thousands of unnamed, unreachable bureaucrats....The shift of authority has been staggering. The fourth branch now has a larger practical impact on the lives of citizens than all the other branches combined."
5/24/13, "The rise of the fourth branch of government," Washington Post, Jonathan Turley, opinion
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In 2011 3,807 new laws were passed outside of Congress:
7/22/12, "More than ten new ones (laws) are added every day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
In 2011, the US Congress passed a total of 81 new “laws” while
government agencies issued 3,807 new regulations....
If there ever was an example of government without the consent of ANYONE - this is it." This is where the action is."
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5/24/13, "The rise of the fourth branch of government," Washington Post, Jonathan Turley, opinion
"The growing dominance of the federal government over the states has obscured more fundamental changes within the federal government itself: It is not just bigger, it is dangerously off kilter. Our carefully constructed system of checks and balances is being negated by the rise of a fourth branch, an administrative state of sprawling departments and agencies that govern with increasing autonomy and decreasing transparency.
This exponential growth has led to increasing power and independence for agencies. The shift of authority has been staggering. The fourth branch now has a larger practical impact on the lives of citizens than all the other branches combined."...
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In four years, 1996-1999, 15,286 new laws were passed outside of Congress:
Federal Regulations, US Gov. info, About.com, Longley
"The General Accountability Office (GAO) reports that in the four fiscal years from 1996 to 1999, a total of 15,286 new federal regulations went into effect. Of these, 222 were classified as "major" rules, each one having an annual effect on the economy of at least $100 million.
While they call the process "rulemaking," the regulatory agencies create and enforce "rules" that are truly laws, many with the potential to profoundly effect the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans....
The work of creating the vast and ever-growing volumes of federal regulations, the real laws behind the acts, happens largely unnoticed in the offices of the government agencies rather than the halls of Congress."...
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Over 38,000 new laws were enacted outside of congress in the ten years 2001-2011:
9/10/12, "Under Obama, 11,327 Pages of Federal Regulations Added," CNS.com, Penny Starr
"Over the past decade, the federal government has issued almost 38,000 new final rules, according to the draft of the 2011 annual report to Congress on federal regulations by the Office of Management and Budget."
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Law via the executive branch is preferable for the revolving door of lobbyists coming out of congress:
Ex-GOP Rep. Steve LaTourette says he can begin lobbying federal agencies immediately whereas he has to wait a year to lobby congress:
1/8/13, "Former Rep. Steve LaTourette and wife to start law firm's lobbying practice," Cleveland Plain Dealer
""To be clear, I can't lobby Congress for a year," LaTourette emphasized. "I am not prohibited from talking to federal agencies. Most of my time will be spent on business development and working with clients who may have difficulties with federal agencies.""...
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NY Times Editorial Board wants 'action,' complains Congress enacts too few laws. The Times doesn't mention thousands of laws passed yearly we know nothing about:
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11/28/13, "Government in Slow Motion," NY Times Editorial Board
"It’s hard to see how Republicans could slow things down more than they already have for the last several years. Yes, they can prevent committees from meeting and add days of wasted time to every nomination and bill. Just after the filibuster vote, in fact, Senate Republicans refused a routine request for unanimous consent to approve several of the president’s uncontested nominees.
But the larger business of governing is already being cast aside. As Politico recently reported,
the current Congress has only enacted 49 laws, the fewest since 1947.
That’s a mark of pride to Tea Party nihilists, but, for the rest of the
country, which expects action on fundamentals like jobs and immigration,
it’s a mark of shame."...
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11/22/13, "The (really) do-nothing Congress," Politico, Raju
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