Obama Seeking Less Competent Bureaucrats

Here's some grim news I saw linked on NRO. Obama wants to lower the bar and reduce the competency of people working in the federal bureaucracy. To be sure, I doubt the "knowledge skills and ability essays" actually produced quality bureaucrats, but I nonetheless suspect this new step will make the bureaucracy an even bigger burden on the American economy:

Tuesday, President Obama ordered the biggest federal hiring overhaul in three decades. ..Now every other federal agency will follow suit. Tuesday, a presidential memo ordered the largest federal hiring reform in 30 years. For the first time in history, applicants will be able to submit resumes and cover letters and will not be required to complete knowledge skills and ability essays.