by Charles Ray

Created on: July 04, 2009   Last Updated: July 08, 2009

Government exists to provide for the welfare of its citizens. In America, the founding fathers intended for government to be the servant of the people, not their master. In order to remain true to our founding ideals, government must be responsive to the will of the American public, and must encourage greater citizen participation in civic and government institutions.

Obsession with secrecy, with deals made in smoke-filled rooms out of the public view and without public input, is counter to the American way of life as envisioned by our founders and enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

There is a valid need to protect certain information. Intelligence sources and methods, for instance, need to be held closely to avoid compromise of our security and for the safety of those involved in the collection of intelligence. Details of military operations need to be guarded to avoid an adversary having advance knowledge and endangering the safety of U.S. forces. When the government is engaged in sensitive international negotiations, it should have the right to safeguard negotiating points and strategies.

Beyond these issues, disclosure of which could endanger our national security, government should be proactive in providing information to citizens.

An example of excessive secrecy in the last administration was the refusal to disclose details about meetings held in the Vice President's office with officials of energy companies to discuss national energy policy. While the desire to get candid input from the participants was understandable, the outcome of those discussions had a potentially significant impact on the lives of every American. Maintaining confidentiality was justified only until the meetings were concluded. Americans have a right to know what has been done or decided when it will affect their standard of living. If they are to be truly effective, and garner broad public support, such policy discussions should also include input from the public.

The result of such in camera discussions is erosion of the people's trust in government - trust that is essential if government is to retain the people's support, and in order to be able to successfully implement policy decisions.

The only way for government to be held truly accountable to the people is for a proactive policy aimed at providing citizens with all the information they need to make rational, informed decisions.

"The foundation of government of a nation must be built upon the rights of the people, but the administration must be entrusted to experts." Sun Yat-sen, The Three Principles of the People.

If, however, those experts are to continue to enjoy the support and trust of the people, they must keep them informed and involved in that administration to the greatest extent possible.

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