My 3rd Civil Liberties Post Today; Govt Secrecy is Anathema to Open Democracy....

[Blackhatjack]

Either government exists to serve the people, or people exist to serve their government. It is one or the other.

People living in an 'open democracy' depend on the free flow of information about what the government is doing in their name because 'government exists to serve them.'

When government officials act in secrecy and prevent the people from knowing what they are doing, they are clearly stating that people exist to serve the government.

This is an important distinction that must not be glossed over.

IMHO the last 6 years of the Bush Administration has moved many citizens to adopt the belief that 'people exist to serve government.'

Living under an Administration that says national security and protection of the people mean that people must 'trust us' to do the right thing in their name is evidence that we are not a functioning democracy.

Will we stand up and demand the rights we are granted in our Constitution?

[H2O Man]

1. True.

"Secrecy -- the first refuge of incompetents -- must be at bare minimum in a democratic society, for a fully informed public is the basis of self-government. Those elected or appointed to positions of executive authority must recognize that government, in a democracy, cannot be wiser than the people."
-- House Committee on Government Operations; 1960 Report

[Blackhatjack]

2. Thanks H2O Man! Any idea what was going on when that report was issued?

[hang a left]

3. I was reading something yesterday and I can't remember where but...

the author was articulation upon the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. And how there was argument about the BOR being inmeshed with the Constitution.

Please forgive me, I have a horrible short term memory, but, as I read it:

The final analysis came down to something like the government should be given deference. And the rights of the people secondary.

I can't remember now because I have been up all night with insomnia. But it was a very illuminating read.

Maybe someone can find it.

[Blackhatjack]

4. Well the Constitution Would Never Have Passed Without The Promise of A Bill of Rights...

There was heated debate at the Constitutional Congress over whether to include many of the eventual Bill of Rights issues in the Constitution itself. Many states would never vote for the Constitution if there had not been the promise that a Bill of Rights would be passed at a later date.

[american_typeculture]

5. Government exists to serve the elites.

They have a revolving door policy between the elites and government. You think all these millionaires are in government because they are altruistic? Ha! Yeah right, they are in government to further their greedy cause. Which is the accumulation and centralization of wealth.

[Blackhatjack]

6. It is clear that the MSM will not push for disclosure of Govt info, FOIA Requests are ignored....

and everything is now wrapped in 'national security/classified information' as the basis for failing to disclose what our Govt is doing in our names.

Without free flow of information regarding what OUR GOVERNMENT IS DOING, we cannot effectively counter illegal, unethical and/or immoral actions being carried out by our Elected Representatives.

It is the bedrock upon which all accountability rests.