TRANSPARENTLY DISHONEST: "EVERY DOCUMENT ON LINE"
It's become sort of a "cool kid" thing for non-incumbent candidates for any office to say they are going to do the public's business in public and "everything" the government has is going to be available on line.
It's probably a good political tactic. First of all, the press responds to that like a puppy being scratched on the belly. Second, it implicitly says "Hey, I've got nothing to hide!" Third, it's just a campaign promise and you can always modify it if you happen to luck up and get elected.
But the law permits or requires that certain things not be disclosed, and for good reasons. W-4's, health insurance applications, I-9's, unfounded police internal investigations, The CIA budget, the names and addresses of drug task force members and the schematic for biometric security systems would be just a few examples.
So whether it's BObama or a candidate for Alderman telling you how "everything" is going to available to the public, the vibration you feel is not your cell phone. It's your B.S. detector going off.
posted by UMRBlog @ 01:07
16 comments
16 Comments:
There's a big difference between everything and nothing. Your red herring examples don't address the completely secretive nature of the Spring administration.
what candidate for Alderman has said "everything" should be posted online?
I know of one who has said the city budget should be, but that's it.
A start at open Government would be fresh air to Quincy , Il . Why must we pull teeth and FOIA the hell out of things ?
Why must we take the steps of appeals ? Why must local lawyers place dozens of case law into that process ?
A certain "leader" is the most narcissistic paranoid closed government sort it makes Nixon look cordial .
Guys,
I don't know how to break this to you but every governmental principle topic posted here is not about Quincy or any specific candidate.
TYFCB
How bout we start at point A.
Lets follow the sunshine law to a letter .
I know there are three other lawyers who can pick up the slack for a very over worked UMR.
Should have known you wouldn't want to talk about sunshine in with respect to this mayor and his administration. Good luck with your topic.
>I don't know how to break this to
>you but every governmental
>principle topic posted here is
>not about Quincy or any specific
>candidate.
Sort of like how the incumbent 3rd Ward alderman's innocent straw poll at Monday's council meeting had nothing to do with his challenger's idea about ward funds?
Why would you even bring it up if not for the fact that it is an issue in a local race?
1014,
Oh I don't know. Maybe because it was a big deal in the Obama campaign. Maybe because the national issue of the "torture memos" is coming to light. Maybe because one of the mayoral candidates has promised to put "all" city documents on the city's web page. Maybe because there is a new FOIA being debated in the Illinois Legislature right now. Maybe because Governor Quinn has talked endlessly about transparency since taking office.
TYFCB
Bloghost Note: This is from an anon 0713. I have edited it by taking something personal out..the second sentence of his first paragraph. I will reply to it below.
Tony,
Why are you so fixated on an aldermanic race when you have a Mayor up for election? ...
I assume that you are attacking Moore,as you have stated, prior actions are an indicator of future, or present, actions,you have slammed Moore before on simiar issues. Moore stated he would put the budget and other PUBLIC documents on line for ease of access for the taxpayer. He never mentioned W-4's or other confidential records being on line and you know it.
I think it is interesting that you, a experienced and bright political operative, and Bob, a 16 year incumbent alderman, have to resort to distorting an honorable candidates issues to try and ding him up instead of stressing the incumbents record. Why? Is Bob a little scared or do you just protect your parties candidates no matter the issue or the truth of your statements?
Anon 0713,
As I hope I made clear to everyone above, I wasn't thinking about any particular politician when I composed this post. I was commenting on the well-intentioned but somewhat overblown transparency movement and pointing out there is always some level of public business that shouldn't be transparent.
Interesting you should take it as an attack on Moore. I actually agree with him and others that public bodies' budgets should be available for review via the web. Note that it a little more difficult than some folks will lead you to believe to keep a current budget up and available, but it should be done.
From memory, the only thing I've gigged Moore on is an kind of on-going spoof between us on the maintenance of the YR website. I think he took it in the manner intended. I think he would tell you himself that I haven't attacked him.
As far as the race is concerned, I think it's a Big Boy election and both aldermanic candidates are going a really good job. If the margin were greater than 75 votes either way, I'd be surprised. Neither side appears to have made any major mistakes.
TYFCB
Would you classify the Spring administration as transparent?
"I just wish people would spend their time more creatively ............................"
Funny I think starting Digital media was pretty creative .
Asking questions is the job of the press .
Even Doug Wilson is starting to seek answers .
Not quite on topic, but I was reading Bellis's website and he mentions he wants to support local business over "big box" retailers...why doesn't Quincy enact a restriction on the maximal allowable size of a store- I think these type of zoning restrictions have been used in other communities to keep Wal-Mart or Home Depot out of town
Tookie,
I thought Bellis was not going to accept contributions from people owning companies who have city contracts. Or Does that apply to all days that are not today?
Reply from anon 0713
Tony,
I wish I could post in the open but I can't right now. I answered your post while mad and did attack you in a personal manner. I apologize, for what an anon apology is worth, for getting off topic and slamming you. I agree that there is a logistical issue with putting things on the web. I would like to see the City use technology to make life easier for the citizens and more user friendly. I also agree the race is very close, I believe the margin may be even closer than you have predicted, we shall see.
Oh, wait! I just heard a candidate for Mayor say "Every Document" would be on the City's Web Page. (WGEM forum).
I guess there is a local connection.
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