Are candidates missing an opportunity to connect with voters on open government issues?

The amount of issues discussed during this campaign is staggering, unfortunately the "secretive nature" in which powerful entities do business is not high on the priority list if you judge by how often they comment on FOI (Freedom of Information) this 2008 election season.

You will hear them talk about Health care almost daily, the war in Iraq will also be discussed, Immigration is a top issue, but no matter which side of the isle you are on, once you achieve this level of power you'll tend to keep many things secret in this complex world. They won't bring up secret issues until you do!

The FOI act was created into law in July 4, 1966. Because people need to be compelled into doing the right thing! It's just a simple fact of human nature. When certain people are left unchecked they will tend to bend, if not break all the rules, and begin to craft an image of rulership in their own likeness. Check the history books, I'll wait.

You didn't have to go too far to find an example that you personally finds fits the pattern. All leaders by nature feel they have what it takes to lead, that's why they are in the race!

Any comment in today's politics by our candidates, are well crafted and choreographed, you can be sure of that!

It will not be up to the individual candidate to keep truthful with us, it will be up to us to keep digging and showing an interest in keeping this less than perfect union answering to the people. By actively participating in the political process in any capacity; voting, campaigning, or picking up a cause if you are so inclined.

But to be fair Hillary Clinton has returned a response to a Sunshine Weeks open government survey, where neither Barack Obama nor John McCain bothered to respond. Obama however shows promise as well as Clinton on their views of an open government in their separate proposed plans to address this vital issue.

Obama plans to have allow web viewing and involvement, were Clinton wants to end no contract bids and other tangible parts of the governments procedures which is presently done behind closed doors.

In both cases a step in the right direction but in reality the validity of the result of electronic input has a long way to go before it is secure enough to accept the results, but opening up budget expenditure issues that are presently closed EX: DoD budget programs, other closed bidding issues and earmarks.

I saved John McCain for last with no disrespect intended. Very few can argue that they have served our country with more body and soul than John, but he is a member of the Republican Party, and they have the greatest tendencies to engage in saber rattling which leads to the things big government like to keep secret about. The Republications view of Globalization is to dominate, forcefully if necessary the world at large, behavior similar to leaders all throughout history.

Leaders no matter what party affiliation will only expose information when the question is asked! And on every level the people of this country must continue to engage in the democratic process and keep our elected representatives honest. Keeping an active presence and keep digging, our democracy does depend on it.

Learn more about this author, J P Burton.
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