A Reflection on the Independence of Independent Agencies

Independent agencies should not be independent. A shortcoming of "independence" is that independent agencies have "no place at the table" when it comes to formulating policies that directly affect the agency. It is difficult enough for non-cabinet executive agencies to feel fully informed and to be represented in the highest levels of government decisionmaking. But the independent agencies have little voice in such deliberations nor the efficient means to gather information from such proceedings.