by Michael Burgwin

Created on: July 17, 2007   Last Updated: March 19, 2008

In case you didn't know, democracy is spelled T-R-A-N-S-P-A-R-E-N-C-Y. That's right, transparency. A democracy that is not transparent is no longer a government of, for and by the people. Despotism lurks in government secrecy and ethical complaints filed by anyone and everyone are one means to defend against power of the few over the many.

Of course, ethical complaints, whether filed by the people or government officials, are moot if the structure for ethical investigations is controlled by the people being investigated. Government ethical oversight must have an independent, politically-free response to complaints against congressional representatives, as well as the executive and judicial branches.

The other piece that is needed is a clear delineation of ethical conduct. We can start with the ever-popular "perception is everything" rule in which "if it looks like crap or smells like crap" it is presumed to be crap. So, Mr and Ms Representative, don't do anything that could be construed as crap and everything will smell pretty.

Which brings us back to transparency. One way for our government leaders to protect themselves against ethical complaints, especially the risk of trivial complaints, is to do everything out in the open. If you are not hiding, then there is a damn good chance you have nothing to hide. Still, the Damn You Your Cheating Department will be watching, as will we.

When government becomes truly and completely transparent - which would require unusually enlightened foreign and domestic policies - then the use of an effective, functioning, ethical complaint system will be minimal and the continued need for one will have been justified. When it works, keep using it.

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