Our Say:Political abuse of government hiring should be punished

Let's say you are an applicant for a supposedly nonpolitical job in the U.S. Department of Justice and are confronted with this astonishing inquiry:

"What is it about George W. Bush that makes you want to serve him?"

Our suggested answer: "I'm here because I want to advance the cause of justice and work for the people of the United States, not because I want to 'serve' any temporary elected officeholder. Moreover, anyone who asks such an idiotic question shouldn't be allowed within five miles of a federal hiring process."

The question, according to The Washington Post, was...