[dragonwriter]

“Independent” agencies are not independent of the separation of powers. They are “independent” within the executive branch in that their leadership does not serve at the pleasure of the President, is allocated under law by a process designed to provide some viewpoint diversity despite being appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and their leadership can typically only be dismissed for cause, and their power is assigned by law not delegated from above them within the executive branch. They also tend to be delegated either or both quasi-judicial or quasi-legislatove powers by Congress (which also happens to non-independent agencies.)

> To say that there are agencies that are simply outside of that system... it seems to fly in the face of the basic things that kids learn in Elementary school.

In every field, the basic things that kids learn in elementary school tend to be incomplete or wrong, and government is definitely no exception, but independent agencies are not outside the system.

> I mean, it sounds as if they're claiming to be a Legislative Branch agency.

No, accountability to Congress is not exclusive to legislative branch agencies.