Cry Me a River
Cry me a river: “Musk was not elected.” And?
Let's see, around 700–750 individuals have served in the U.S. Cabinet from George Washington’s administration through Donald Trump’s presidency. NOT ONE WAS ELECTED. I await a rational response in opposition to the obvious.
“But he wasn't confirmed by the Senate!”
So?
Not all members of the president’s Cabinet have to be confirmed by the Senate.
Who Requires Senate Confirmation?
Most Cabinet secretaries and key officials heading executive departments (e.g., Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Treasury Secretary) must be confirmed by the Senate under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, which gives the Senate the power to provide “advice and consent” on high-level executive appointments.
Who Does NOT Require Senate Confirmation?
• White House Staff and Advisers: Positions such as the Chief of Staff, National Security Advisor, and Press Secretary do not require Senate approval because they are part of the president’s executive office, not department heads.
• Some Special Envoys or Policy Czars: The president can appoint certain advisors or special envoys who do not run executive agencies, and these roles often do not require confirmation.
Acting Secretaries and Temporary Appointments
• The Federal Vacancies Reform Act allows presidents to appoint acting secretaries temporarily without Senate confirmation, as long as they meet certain criteria (e.g., previously serving in a senior role within the agency).
Cabinet-Level Officials Without Senate Confirmation
Some Cabinet-level officials (not technically secretaries) may also not require confirmation, depending on their role and appointment process.
In summary, most Cabinet members require Senate confirmation, but some key White House advisers and certain acting officials do not.
And...
Generally speaking, about 4,000 positions in the U.S. federal government are appointed by the president and serve at his pleasure, meaning they can be removed at any time. These positions fall into different categories:
1. Presidential Appointments with Senate Confirmation (PAS)
• Roughly 1,200 positions
• Includes Cabinet secretaries, deputy secretaries, undersecretaries, ambassadors, and heads of major agencies (like the FBI Director and Federal Reserve Chair).
• These officials require Senate confirmation before taking office.
2. Presidential Appointments Without Senate Confirmation (PA)
• Approximately 400 positions
• Includes key White House staff, senior policy advisors, and special assistants (e.g., Chief of Staff, National Security Advisor).
• These officials do not require Senate confirmation.
3. Non-Career Senior Executive Service (SES)
• About 1,000 positions
• These are high-level government executives who are political appointees rather than career civil servants.
• Some serve at the pleasure of the president, while others have more job protections.
4. Schedule C Appointments (Political Appointees)
• About 2,500 positions
• Includes confidential assistants, advisors, and political aides in executive agencies.
• These individuals work closely with appointed officials and serve at the discretion of the administration.
Total Estimate: Around 4,000 Positions
• All of these appointees can be removed or replaced when a new president takes office.
Next
The Fall of the French Government and the Rise of Napoleon
The French Revolution (1789–1799) was a direct result of years of economic mismanagement, political corruption, and an out-of-touch bureaucracy that left the people struggling under high taxes, food shortages, and a monarchy that refused to reform. This collapse set the stage for Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise as the people grew fed up with a government that seemed incapable of governing effectively.
Bastille Day: The Beginning of the End
July 14, 1789, marks the storming of the Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison in Paris. The Bastille was a symbol of royal tyranny, where political prisoners were held by order of the king. However, by the time of the revolution, it was more of a symbolic target than a strategic one—only seven prisoners were inside when revolutionaries stormed it.
The event was less about freeing prisoners and more about seizing weapons to defend against King Louis XVI’s forces. The storming of the Bastille represented the people’s rejection of absolute monarchy and kicked off a chain reaction that led to the collapse of the Ancien Régime (old order).
The Bureaucracy That Ran France Into the Ground
Before the revolution, France was drowning in debt due to expensive wars (including the American Revolution) and an extravagant monarchy. The bureaucracy, bloated with aristocrats and incompetent officials, made things worse:
1. High Taxes on the Poor – The nobility and clergy were largely exempt from taxes, leaving the burden on the commoners (the Third Estate).
2. Incompetent Leadership – King Louis XVI and his advisors failed to implement meaningful reforms, despite financial crises.
3. Bureaucratic Corruption – Government officials were more interested in their own wealth and privileges than solving France’s problems.
4. Food Shortages – A series of bad harvests in the 1780s led to skyrocketing bread prices, pushing the working class to the brink.
With the monarchy refusing to make changes, the people took matters into their own hands.
The Revolution’s Chaos and the Rise of Napoleon
After toppling the monarchy, France descended into chaos. The Reign of Terror (1793–1794) saw thousands executed, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. The bureaucratic mess only got worse, as different revolutionary factions fought for control.
By the late 1790s, the Directory (the post-Terror government) was ineffective and deeply unpopular. France was still at war with much of Europe, inflation was rampant, and corruption was widespread.
Enter Napoleon Bonaparte—a military leader who had risen to prominence through his victories in Italy and Egypt. By 1799, Napoleon staged a coup d’état (Coup of 18 Brumaire), overthrowing the weak Directory and establishing himself as First Consul, effectively becoming the ruler of France.
Why Did People Support Napoleon?
By the time Napoleon took power, the people were exhausted from a decade of instability. Napoleon promised:
• Strong leadership – No more endless debates and factional infighting.
• Law and order – He established the Napoleonic Code, which reformed the legal system.
• Military victories – He expanded France’s empire and defended it from foreign threats.
Unlike the corrupt bureaucrats and ineffective politicians before him, Napoleon got things done, and that’s why the people embraced him—at least until his downfall in 1815.
Conclusion
The fall of the French government wasn’t just about revolution—it was about a broken bureaucracy, a failing monarchy, and an angry, starving population. Bastille Day was the symbolic explosion of that frustration. The government that followed was chaotic, and people welcomed a strong leader in Napoleon to restore order. His rise was the ultimate proof that when bureaucracies fail, revolutions happen—and strong leaders step in to fill the void.
And for context ...
 The Napoleonic Code: Its Legacy and Impact on the U.S.
The Napoleonic Code, officially called the Civil Code of 1804, was one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s most enduring achievements. It revolutionized legal systems by creating a clear, accessible, and uniform set of laws that replaced the patchwork of feudal, royal, and church-based laws that had governed France before the Revolution. It emphasized individual rights, equality before the law, and the protection of private property—principles that have influenced legal systems worldwide, including in parts of the United States.
Key Features of the Napoleonic Code
1. Legal Equality – All men (though not women) were equal under the law, eliminating aristocratic privileges.
2. Property Rights – Strengthened protections for private property, which was critical after the redistribution of lands during the French Revolution.
3. Secular Law – The Code separated church influence from civil matters, ensuring laws were based on rational principles rather than religious doctrine.
4. Clarity and Simplicity – Unlike previous legal systems full of contradictions, the Napoleonic Code was written in clear, accessible language.
5. Strong Central Authority – It reinforced a powerful central government, ensuring the state had control over legal matters, rather than regional lords or local traditions.
How the Napoleonic Code Has Survived for Centuries
Unlike many legal systems that evolve gradually, the Napoleonic Code was a complete legal overhaul that set the foundation for modern civil law. It has survived and influenced legal traditions across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and even Asia. Countries that were once under French control or influence—such as Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Egypt—adopted versions of it, and it remains the basis for legal systems in over 70 countries today.
France itself has modified the Code over time, but the core principles—clarity, individual rights, and private property protection—remain at the heart of its legal system.
The Napoleonic Code’s Impact on the United States
While the United States primarily follows the common law system inherited from England, Louisiana is an exception. Because Louisiana was a French colony before being sold to the U.S. in 1803 (Louisiana Purchase), its legal system is based on the Napoleonic Code rather than English common law.
Louisiana and the Napoleonic Code
• Louisiana Civil Law – Even today, Louisiana follows a civil law system derived from the Napoleonic Code, making it unique among U.S. states.
• Contracts and Property Law – Louisiana’s legal system places greater emphasis on written contracts and codified law, unlike the common law tradition that relies more on judicial precedent.
• Succession (Inheritance) Laws – Louisiana limits disinheritance, meaning parents cannot completely cut their children out of their will, a rule rooted in Napoleonic principles.
Broader Influence on U.S. Law
While Louisiana is the most direct example, the Napoleonic Code has also influenced American law in subtle but significant ways:
• Codification of Laws – Many U.S. states have adopted comprehensive legal codes for clarity, similar to the Napoleonic system.
• Property Rights & Contracts – Napoleonic principles, like clear ownership laws and the importance of written contracts, are reflected in U.S. legal doctrine.
• Legal Education – Law schools teach the civil law tradition alongside common law, especially in contract and tort law.
Thus, the Napoleonic Code reshaped legal systems worldwide by emphasizing clarity, equality, and property rights. It remains a cornerstone of Louisiana’s legal system and has influenced broader U.S. legal practices in areas like contract law and codified statutes. Even two centuries later, Napoleon’s legal legacy still shapes how laws are written, interpreted, and enforced in the modern world.