[lbo-talk] the 'free' in FOIA

lbo at inkworkswell.com lbo at inkworkswell.com
Tue Mar 1 12:38:24 PST 2005


File a FOIA request for info on how the government is spending tax dollars and it'll cost you $203,436.75!

the letter detailing these costs is from the Social Security Administration to one Mr. Witold Skwierczynski, who requested documents related to meetings and appointments of Commissioner Barnhart, Deputy Commissioner Lockhart, and Deputy Commissioner Martin Jerry. http://inkworkswell.com/Cost_of_Freedom_in_FOIA.pdf

As someone elsewhere pointed out: why is it that it takes that many manhours -- and the rate varies? is it just that someone went to more meetings and they're vetting this -- for what? do they discuss national security secrets in these meetings?

See also:

http://www.prospect.org/web/printfriendly-view.ww?id=9260

Lockhart and Barrel A top Social Security administrator is moonlighting as a partial-privatization lobbyist.

By Rob Garver

If there's an enterprising congressional Democrat out there looking to make a splash in the fight against partial privatization of Social Security, he or she ought to call up James B. Lockhart III, deputy commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), and ask him to come speak at an anti-private accounts rally.

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