Tranparency and the public trust
December 19th 2006 01:32
I'm shocked, but I agree with the NYT for once. I suppose that even a stopped clock is right twice a day (speaking about them, not me). 
)
In this article, the author discusses the benefits of transparency as practiced by our elected officials. I couldn't agree more. We need as much transparency as possible and we need it in as many formats as possible (via CSPAN, the internet, etc.). I've listed some suggestions below relating to transparency. Adopting these suggestions would only be a start, but it would be a very good start.
(1) In terms of accountability, there needs to be an INDEPENDENT group monitoring ethics charges and lobbyist-related issues. Congress has tried to police themselves. That was a big mistake. They failed miserably. The end result was a Congress that was awash in corruption and deceit and which has nearly zero credibility with the American public. It's just common sense that outside, independent groups should be responsible for holding our representatives -- both Dems and Republicans -- accountable.
(2) Stop earmarks entirely. Require that these spending projects get submitted on separate bills where they live or die on their own merits. Yes, that'll be more work, but it'll provide some more trust in our government and result in more fiscal responsibility.
(3) Congress should stop wasting their time on the naming of bridges and buildings. Most of us could not care less. Let their staffers or some separate, fair-minded group handle items like that. There are too many other important issues to address and Congress shouldn't waste time with trivial issues such as the naming of bridges and buildings.
(4) If/when Congress does pass ethics reform laws, they should also put in a hurdle for the repeal of those new rules. I've heard of situations where elected officials pass such laws when under scrutiny then quietly repeal them when the pressure abates a little and no one is watching. Pass the laws so that they can't be easily repealed -- then the temptation to do so won't be there. Maybe they could make them repealable only under a 2/3 majority. That would prevent the elected officials from backtracking when we're not watching.
Congress, as a whole, has popularity levels similar to that of used-car salesmen. Why do people distrust used-car salesmen? Because they feel like they're not privy to the information they need to get a fair shake. Because they feel like the used-car salesmen, while acting friendly, are just looking for an angle to play. Because they feel like the used-car salesmen are PURPOSEFULLY trying to scam them in order to get over on the customer and advance their own selfish desires. Unfortunately, this is how I feel when I think about many of our elected officials. They're just used-car salesmen who are only out for themselves.
Some common sense adjustments such as these I've mentioned could make a big difference. I only hope that this Congress proves it is serious about ethics reform and passes laws that will promote transparency and ethical oversight. Doing so would be a good first step in helping to restore the public's trust in them.
)In this article, the author discusses the benefits of transparency as practiced by our elected officials. I couldn't agree more. We need as much transparency as possible and we need it in as many formats as possible (via CSPAN, the internet, etc.). I've listed some suggestions below relating to transparency. Adopting these suggestions would only be a start, but it would be a very good start.
(1) In terms of accountability, there needs to be an INDEPENDENT group monitoring ethics charges and lobbyist-related issues. Congress has tried to police themselves. That was a big mistake. They failed miserably. The end result was a Congress that was awash in corruption and deceit and which has nearly zero credibility with the American public. It's just common sense that outside, independent groups should be responsible for holding our representatives -- both Dems and Republicans -- accountable.
(2) Stop earmarks entirely. Require that these spending projects get submitted on separate bills where they live or die on their own merits. Yes, that'll be more work, but it'll provide some more trust in our government and result in more fiscal responsibility.
(3) Congress should stop wasting their time on the naming of bridges and buildings. Most of us could not care less. Let their staffers or some separate, fair-minded group handle items like that. There are too many other important issues to address and Congress shouldn't waste time with trivial issues such as the naming of bridges and buildings.
(4) If/when Congress does pass ethics reform laws, they should also put in a hurdle for the repeal of those new rules. I've heard of situations where elected officials pass such laws when under scrutiny then quietly repeal them when the pressure abates a little and no one is watching. Pass the laws so that they can't be easily repealed -- then the temptation to do so won't be there. Maybe they could make them repealable only under a 2/3 majority. That would prevent the elected officials from backtracking when we're not watching.
Congress, as a whole, has popularity levels similar to that of used-car salesmen. Why do people distrust used-car salesmen? Because they feel like they're not privy to the information they need to get a fair shake. Because they feel like the used-car salesmen, while acting friendly, are just looking for an angle to play. Because they feel like the used-car salesmen are PURPOSEFULLY trying to scam them in order to get over on the customer and advance their own selfish desires. Unfortunately, this is how I feel when I think about many of our elected officials. They're just used-car salesmen who are only out for themselves.
Some common sense adjustments such as these I've mentioned could make a big difference. I only hope that this Congress proves it is serious about ethics reform and passes laws that will promote transparency and ethical oversight. Doing so would be a good first step in helping to restore the public's trust in them.
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Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Comment by Populist Conservative
While we certainly won't see wholesale changes, I'm hoping that we can keep poking them with a stick until they straighten up and fly right. It's unfortunate, but I think that's our best hope.