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Could You Fill Out This Job Application?
November 13, 2008 9:07 AM
"If you have ever sent an electronic communication, including but not limited to an e-mail, text message or instant message, that could suggest a conflict of interest or be a possible source of embarrassment to you, your family, or the President-elect if it were made public, please describe."
So asks question 13 of the questionnaire for potential top-ranking Obama administration officials.
The mind reels.
The seven-page, 63-question intrusive and extensive list of queries, first obtained by the New York Times and confirmed as legitimate by the Obama Transition Team, offers a revealing glimpse into both the Obama team's determination not to repeat the mistakes of its predecessors (Any nanny issues? Any discriminatory club memberships?) as well as the new era on which Obama will lead ("Please provide the URL address of any Web sites that feature you in either a personal or professional capacity, e.g. Facebook, My Space, etc.").
Applicants are asked if they or any immediate family members own a gun, if they have ever been charged with sexual harassment or malpractice, if they have ever had any alimony or child support issues, "any writs of garnishment," or any bankruptcy problems.
Ever been investigated, arrested for, charged with, convicted of violating any law, regulation or ordinance? How about your spouse? Your child? ("You may exclude traffic offenses for which the fine was less than $50.")
Have you, your spouse, or any member of your immediate family ever worked with a financial, banking, insurance or mortgage institution currently the subject of federal government intervention as part of the financial meltdown? "This question includes but is not limited to, the following: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, and Washington Mutual."
What about gifts? "Other than from relatives, or from close and longstanding personal friends on occasions such as birthdays or seasonal holidays, have you or your spouse ever received a gift exceeding $50.00 in value? Please identify the donor, the value of the gift, the date received and the circumstances in which the gift was received."
Net worth, tax returns, loans, trusts, real estate. The questionnaire attempts to leave no stone unturned.
Provide a copy of every book, article, column or publication you have authored, any speeches you have given, any testimony delivered, any resume you've issued.
"Please list all aliases or 'handles' you have used to communicate on the Internet."
"If you keep or have ever kept a diary that contains anything that could suggest a conflict of interest or be a possible source of embarrassment to you, your family, or the President-Elect if it were made public, please describe."
Crikey!
- jpt
November 13, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (393)
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oh geez. Welcome to the new leftist illuminati. We might have seen different people involved from the beginning if this was always required and used as a screening process
Posted by: EW | Nov 20, 2008 8:52:15 AM
I am surprised that they don't ask people what their confessions were and what they talked about with their doctors. This is way too intrusive.
Imagine the potential for abuse with so much information. This is going to encourage dishonest responses. I doubt most people with a clean history would even want their privacy invaded this much.
Who wants to tell their prospective employer about an embarrassing fight with an ex or sibling over the Internet? They would even want to know about love notes and rowdy smack during sports season. lol
Posted by: whoa | Nov 17, 2008 11:33:15 PM
Ashley...
Does God condone Obama's position to murder unborn children? Does God support Obama's position for homosexuals to be openly recognized and allowed to marry? Do you recall that our Creator openly destroyed people for such behavior? Would Jesus have sat in the church of Jeremiah Wright? Unless the reference to God is actually a god that Barack worships, and not the God of the Bible...
Posted by: Jason | Nov 17, 2008 2:36:03 PM
You have to love the chutzpah of a man asking these questions of potential employees; questions that he himself would have a very difficult time answering honestly and then getting hired by his own team. Amazing.
Posted by: Mike in San Antonio | Nov 17, 2008 8:26:39 AM
It's a good idea? Are you people kidding me? Granted, I'll give you that it's a good idea, in theory, then again, so is fascism. The key point you're missing is that we've not only elected to the most powerful office in the free world a person who couldn't pass the security clearance for a federal job, thus making such clearances moot, but a person who couldn't even work in his own administration, thus making this highly invasive screening moot. Good idea indeed.
Posted by: Ohms | Nov 15, 2008 9:53:09 AM
What a joke! This guy could not even be his own bodyguard with this application. He could not apply for any state or federal public service job. This guy is the President? Only in America. Wonderful, comrades.
Posted by: Antinov | Nov 14, 2008 5:48:44 PM
All the hate on here is hilarious. Someone actually called Obama a fool. Funny, if Obama is a fool then Bush Sr. and Jr. are what... way worse than a fool.
It is also funny how many of the lies that were told during the election are still being thrown around. Someone went old school and but Barack Hussein Obama. Yeah that one never gets old. Terrorist, socialist, racist church, marxist wow, I have to admit you repubs sure stick to your guns even when proven wrong and defeated.
Well at least you know how many of us have felt during the past 8 years, sucks doesn't it. The fake fear thing is a nice touch, unfortunately I haven't felt safe in 8 years so welcome to the club.
Why are people saying that they do not know anything about Obama? Is it because everything you thought about him has been proven false or that the lies didn't become everyone's truth.
I have to say on Nov 4th and 5th I have never seen so many happy faces and not just on black people but every race, gender and nationality. The world has come together and Obama haters are mad? I know unity and joy are foreign to you haters but get over it.
For the moron that asked God to forgive Obama voters you are the funniest because God supports humanity and peace, and unity and community organizing and clearly you don't so I will pray that he takes the hate from your heart and all those like you.
Posted by: Ashley | Nov 14, 2008 5:32:30 PM
While he's at it, why doesn't Obama include a question that says if anyone has had a thought that leans at all to the right, or has any objection to going against my campaign promises at the expense of the American public, please check yes and explain. Obama and his leftist cabinet are going to bring about change to this country!!!
Posted by: Jeff | Nov 14, 2008 4:25:39 PM
"Of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people, commencing demagogues and ending tyrants." -Alexander Hamilton
Posted by: One If By Land... | Nov 14, 2008 2:30:02 PM
This discussion is about a QUESTIONNAIRE -- not a pass/fail test. Without seeing all of it I can only be happy that this man wants to know what's in the can he's buying. I've heard nothing indicating a "wrong" answer disqualifies a person for a position. In law what Obama is doing is called "due diligence"
Posted by: Christine Russo | Nov 14, 2008 2:23:43 PM
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests." -Patrick Henry
Posted by: Liberty Or Death | Nov 14, 2008 2:09:15 PM
"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!" -Samuel Adams
Posted by: Spirit of '76 | Nov 14, 2008 2:05:01 PM
"Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." -Thomas Jefferson
Posted by: Dont Tread On Me | Nov 14, 2008 1:59:50 PM
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined." -Patrick Henry
Posted by: Live Free Or Die | Nov 14, 2008 1:57:30 PM
Obama couldn't pass it, that's for sure.
Posted by: howwouldiknow | Nov 14, 2008 1:51:21 PM
Republicans would rather preach hate and fear instead of getting this country moving in the right Direction. How is this for Bible thumping people. How can you claim to live by the word of god when you don't?
Posted by: USCITIZEN_04 | Nov 14, 2008 1:44:31 PM
Well all I have to say is that Obama is talking with Jennifer Granholm the Gov. of Michigan. Let me all just tell ya, she is the reason Michigan Economy has failed so much. She was suppose to balance our budget instead she made us go further in the hole. It is scary to think she is actually going to possibly have a position on this transition team. We NEED TO BE PRAYING!!!!!! Pray that God will forgive those who voted for Obama and that he would pour out His grace upon us (the American People).. and while I am at it. Thank you to all of our Soldiers.
Posted by: Migirl | Nov 14, 2008 1:08:14 PM
There is a reason why people with certain connections and/or behavior are excluded from sensitive positions. One of these is blackmail.
Obama has a number of people who can threaten him with going public with facts and information about him if he does not do as they wish.
This may be a very troubled administration.
Posted by: Anon | Nov 14, 2008 1:04:37 PM
Anyone else notice the name "Clinton" hand written next to question #31?
HA!
Posted by: Jim | Nov 14, 2008 12:55:10 PM
Doesn't bother me at all. I'm more concerned about who gets the phone calls in the first place.
Posted by: Dan | Nov 14, 2008 12:28:47 PM
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