According to Sunshine Week, nearly 75 percent of American adults view the federal government as secretive, and 90 percent think the candidates' positions on open government are important when deciding to vote. Those are some compelling statistics especially when looking at how these numbers match up against other hot button issues that are dominating each candidate's campaign. According to USA Today/Gallup Poll, 89 percent of American citizens view the economy as an extremely important issue in this election. 87 percent feel the same about the war in Iraq and 81 percent feel strongly about education. Coming in at fourth, ahead of social security, immigration, and global warming is government corruption at 79% (www.pollingreport.com/priorit i.htm).

This is convincing evidence as to how open government proposals would resonate with the voters. Most citizens feel that the government is involved in some form of corruption, and they naturally want openness and honesty.

In fairness, the candidates have each addressed the issue of open government, but rather briefly judging by how Americans feel about the issue. Senator Hillary Clinton said, "When I am president, I will empower the federal government to operate from a presumption of openness, not secrecy" (www.cjog.net). She is also the co-sponsor of the Free Flow of Information Act.

Senator Barack Obama said, "So one of things I want to do is open things up. I want transparency. I want accountability" (www.cjog.net). He has also worked with Tom Coburn in the Congress on an Internet Database that tracks where all federal government dollars are being spent.

Senator John McCain was less firm on his stance on the issue. While he said he supports the flow of information in a free society, he reserves skepticism on the media's ability to manage the information in the American public's interest.

It is evident that this issue of open source government is fresh and energizing to the American voters. So how can one of these candidates use this idea to ignite the passion in voters to rally behind him/her? First, the candidate must truly feel that open government is indeed the solution, and hopefully he/she does. Next, the appropriate steps must be taken.

Step 1: Announce the priority of an open government as the base issue of the campaign. All other issues will then be premised on the axiom of trust. For example, if Senator Clinton proposes universal healthcare coverage, then an open government policy shall

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