Secrecy, Accountability & The Press

Our government is moving more and more toward secrecy, a lack of transparency and accountability. If it was only Donald Trump, maybe we could write it off and say "well that's just Trump", but sadly, that's not the case. Of course he is the leader of the party in power and he also clearly would like to operate without accountability as he did in his private businesses. The fact is however that this goes much deeper. This secrecy is really the preferred choice of people in power and it really doesn't matter if they are Republicans or Democrats, private or public entities. Religious organizations, fraternal groups and on and on, seem to have it in their DNA - business behind closed doors, executive sessions, and private settings are the acceptable order of the day.

The most recent and perhaps blatant example is the US Senate (GOP majority this time) crafting and developing a healthcare bill that will impact all Americans. Somehow it has become acceptable that this was done in secret. Mitch McConnell, who is touted by many pundits as a great political mind and tactical politician, finds it acceptable to work on, design and develop our country's healthcare plan behind closed doors with a group of 13 all white, male senators. We of course, have allowed him to think this is acceptable. He and others act insulted if anyone questions the process he established. He says we've been debating the issue for seven years or more. In the end, it turns out that the group of 13 hadn't really seen the draft themselves. Somehow the concept of open debate and consensus building has totally disappeared from the US Senate and that's a shame. The Senate was the one institution people could look to for fair and open debate in government, but ultimately power does corrupt.

While all of this goes on and plays out, the White House has decided that reduced access by the press will help those in power control their message and messaging. So what we've seen happen recently are less briefings, orders not to release audio notes and orders not to bring or use cameras during specific briefings. On top of that one network has been chosen for interviews by the President and his press spokesperson. Controlling the message this tightly is a real threat to our democracy. We also have to remember that these are the same people, leadership of the Senate, the President and his spokespeople, who are so concerned about leaks and stories that they can't control. They don't seem to realize that all of their actions give rise to and cause more leaks, more questioning, and more concern. A state network is far from the answer.

But again this isn't just Donald Trump, Congress, or one political party. This goes on in board rooms all over America. It happens in every little town and community, at village meetings, school board meetings, town and county meetings, etc. At the same time local reporters and press representatives are fairly relentless, trying to get information, quotes and data for their stories. They do this because we can't be at every meeting. They do it because we get bored listening to the facts or the circular conversations, or the personal attacks of elected officials against one another. They do it to inform us, the public and to try to keep the conversation honest.

I'm not sure we appreciate the importance of these reporters, opinion writers and commentators enough. From major networks to our hometown weekly or daily paper or the low powered FM or AM radio station reading the girl scouts news release or breaking a story on fraud or neglect, stories get told every day. Yes there can at times be problems with accuracy or fact finding but honestly most of that can be traced back to a lack of transparency on the part of the source.

All of us have a responsibility to push for and to demand as much transparency as possible. Our democracy really does depend on it. We will all be better off in the end with public discourse and public facts. So keep watch, demand accountability and speak up when the those in power close doors.