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January 6, 2025 81 mins

Mack and Steve discuss the government worker bees who don’t serve at the pleasure of the president, and how the new administration wants to change that under the auspices of 2025. Also, there may be a UFO flap. Stay tuned!

REFERENCES

What’s the civil service?

Page, Edward C. & Bridges, Edward. “Civil Service.” Updated December 15, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/civil-service

Let’s talk about the Pendleton Act:

National Archives. “Pendleton Act (1883).” Reviewed February 8, 2022. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/pendleton-act

The problem with the spoils system:

Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Spoils system.” March 28, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/spoils-system

The civil service in China:

Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Chinese civil service.”  May 12, 2020. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chinese-civil-service

How long did Imperial China last:

National Geographic. “Imperial China’s Dynasties.” https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/imperial-chinas-dynasties/

The Pendleton Act was named for Ohioan George Hunt Pendleton:

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. “Pendleton, George Hunt.” https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/p000203

It is indeed President Chester ALAN Arthur:

Historical Society of the New York Courts. “Chester Alan Arthur.” https://history.nycourts.gov/figure/chester-alan-arthur/

How many political appointees are there:

Center for Presidential Transition. “Presidential appointments are hard to track – and growing.” September 26, 2024. https://presidentialtransition.org/presidential-appointments-are-hard-to-track-and-growing/

Garfield, the president:

The White House. “James Garfield.” https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/james-garfield/

Garfield, the cat who likes lasagna:

Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Garfield.” Updated November 5, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Garfield

Who is Charles Guiteau and why did he kill a president:

Bellamy, Jay. “A Stalwart of Stalwarts.” 2016. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2016/fall/guiteau

Ladies, gentlemen, and those not bound by the binary, Mr. Johnny Cash:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuucpkMEFVM

A brief overview of Project 2025:

Wendling, Mike. “Project 2025: The right-wing wish list for another Trump presidency.” September 11, 2024. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c977njnvq2do

If you want to get Project 2025 from the source:

https://www.project2025.org/

The whole Schedule F thing:

Bednar, Nick. “A Primer on the Civil Service and the Trump Administration.” December 2, 2024. Lawfare. https://ww


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