Transparency [trænsˈpærənsɪ ]

"My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government" -- Barack Obama, January 28, 2009

"Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency" -- CNN, January 21, 2009

"All agencies should adopt a presumption in favor of disclosure, in order to renew their commitment to the principles embodied in Freedom of Information Act, and to usher in a new era of open Government" -- Barack Obama, January 21, 2009

As the President meets today with Senator Harry Reid and Rep. Nancy Pelosi on Heath Care Reform in secrecy -- no public presence, no pool press reporter, no C-SPAN -- I am reminded of the President's promises. He is conducting an administration that is just the opposite of what he promised. How can anyone trust anything that he says? And that distrust is rubbing off on the entire Federal Government.

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How sad.

"Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants."

~ Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, 1856-1939
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"A basic tenet of a healthy democracy is open dialogue and transparency."

~ Peter Fenn, Journalist

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“Whether you believe the government ought to spend more money or spend less, you should certainly be able to agree that the government ought to spend every penny efficiently and transparently. … Transparency is a prerequisite to oversight and financial control.

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Transparency is essential if we are to do something about the billions of taxpayer dollars being spent with no assurances that the funds are going where they are needed."

~ Senator Barack Obama, July 18, 2006

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