FIRST, MAKE NEW RULES; SECOND, UNDO THEM

President Clinton, whose eight years in the White House draw to a close in just four days, isn't slowly winding down his administration. As a matter of fact, the wheels of the executive branch will be spinning faster than ever right up until the time George W. Bush is sworn in.

Among the last-minute White House decisions: Clinton's order upon taking office eight years ago prohibiting top administration officials from lobbying their own agencies for five years after leaving government has been rescinded, Senate confirmation has been bypassed to place the first black judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, new workplace safety rules have been imposed and millions of acres of federal land have been placed under restrictive protection.

All of which means a considerable amount of the new Bush administration's time will be spent undoing much of what Clinton is putting in place.

What an interesting -- and unproductive -- way to run a country.