by Lenora Reynolds

Created on: May 03, 2008

In the 2008 elections open government issues have not been a hot topic. It is often not addressed by the candidates who see other issues leading the polls. Most of the polls I have seen do not even list it as one of the issues that are important to me as a voter. With so many personal attacks it seems difficult for the candidates to stick to any one issue.

This is a subject where actions speak louder than words. There are many examples where politicians have deliberately locked the door on public knowledge. President George W. Bush and his administration are infamous for not sharing information with the public. Hiding behind a smoke screen of National Security on many different subjects and hiding information is not an open government policy.

President Clinton appointed First Lady Hillary Clinton and Vice President Gore's wife Tipper, to head the debate on National Health Care. The hearings were illegally held behind closed doors with no access by the press corps. It was quickly shut down.

Usually the less public scrutiny behind any subject, the suspicion is, the more someone is trying to hide something. It is unfortunate that this is usually the reason why the information was withheld in the first place. Not disclosing the information at all is not the only way to deceive people. Disclosing partial information and/or false information is just as damaging.

It is unfortunate that too many people view politicians as being dishonest, paid off, and, generally speaking, lacking any standards of value. That they are more interested in getting elected and fund raising than showing any backbone on the issues. It is also seen as doing whatever works and not getting caught. This makes the necessity of an open government policy something that should be a major issue in today's environment.

It is common knowledge that many politicians will promise the sun, the moon and the stars to get elected. They then turn around and slip into the traditional and comfortable way of doing things. It is easy to promise open government and a great deal harder to fully comply with it. When a politician is running for office how open is the campaign. What is the politician's track record on openness and honesty. These say much more than just if the politician is for or against open government.

I would much rather see politicians show by example, their honesty and openness on the issues, as opposed to simply saying I want open government. After being elected to lead by example, and not by empty words and promises.

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