PStl wrote:
I think that misleading the American people: transperency in Government.
This was something that would have been very easy to do, and would have been applauded by both sides, and we all should demand it from all our representatives. The fact that the administration basically laughed it off concerning the CSPAN/Health Care promise he made, should give you an idea of how much they care.
The 5 day waiting period, for the people to look over the bills before they voted, was a novel idea, and should be done, as much as poosible. Too bad that can't happen when you puposely work behind closed doors, and also admit that you don't even need to read the bill! Nice sheeplike approach.
next
Phil, while I would most certainly applaud the openness Obama had hoped for, it became unfeasible. When Obama made the statement about C-Span, he didn't account for the rightwing media, which has insinuated itself into everyday governing. If the proceedings were televised, you'd have seen even more soundbites on Fox and on Rush, pullings statements out of context, distorting meanings to pander to the knuckle-draggers, and providing fodder for Beck and O Reilly. I wouldn't do that for people who want to force their agenda, either. It was a dose of political reality for a first-term president.
The Medicare prescription ripoff of the Bush Admin was done in secret as well, and nearly all the trillion-dollar-plus Iraq War spending was meted out behind closed doors under the guise of "national security." I don't recall seeing meetings on C-Span with Halliburton regarding no-bid contracts or Blackwater's privatizing of armies.
Transparency would at first seem to be best, but it's naive to think that showing the other players your cards is how to win at poker. It's an election year, both for Dems and Repubs, and they'll be playing closer to the vest than ever. Look for the right to hammer the "transparency" card harder than ever, even though they have no plans for their own transparency, and have never offered it.--->JMS