The Policy of Secrecy

[crimsonblue]

You would be hard pressed to find two Americans that can completely agree on every issue. This is part of the beauty of this country, and the mixture of ideas and beliefs helps create a diverse and full culture. Even though we all disagree on certain policy issues, we must all agree on the way those policies are conducted; that is, the process is vastly important to us all.

No president before GWB has been so secretive about the dealings and actions of his administration. He has repeated cited "States secrets" or "executive privilege" in order to bypass open and important debate. Three questions need to be asked by all of us: How is the president being secretive? ; What is being hidden from the American people? ; and Do the American people have a right to know? Through secretive, and unconstitutional practices, the president has amassed power far exceeding anything Richard Nixon himsef could imagine. (Note: Nixon was widely believed to be the most Authoritarian and secretive president in modern times until GWb came along. We all know how Nixon's presidency ended.)


HOW IS THE PRESIDENT BEING SECRETIVE?

GWB has demonstrated from day one the need for excessive and illegal secrecy. Traditionally, White House visitor logs have been non-classified and open to public inspection. GWB changed this by shifting control of the White House visitor logs to the Secret Service, which has refused most requests for access. This came to be particularly important during Congressional inquiries into VP Cheney's energy council, which was dominated by Big Energy representatives. Cheney refused to disclose who visited the White House. Also, the current administration has cited executive privilege more than any other modern president, except perhaps Nixon. While it is true that executive privilege is necessary in many cases so that the president may receive unfettered information and discourse from advisers, the extent of the abuse of this power has become almost ludicrous. For example, Justice Dept. employees were barred from speaking at Congressional hearings on mass federal prosecutor firings because of "executive privilege." This calls into question why the secrecy is needed.

WHAT IS BEING HIDDEN FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?

Every American should question the extreme secrecy of the current administration. By closing off the roads of information between policy makers and the American people, the GWB administration has become sheltered. In the current administration, political discource and open debate has become a rarity. In its place, closed door agreements, clever half truths, and manipulation has become the norm. Employees inthe White House are barred from knowing information not directly-related to their task and all in house memos must be preapproved, many times by Cheney himself. Also, the extent of Cheney's involvement in administrative affairs is unprecented. The office of the Vice President has traditionally held only ceremonial and tie breaking power. Not so under GWB. Cheney has frequently cited that constitutional law does not apply to him, because as VP and President of the Senate, he is in two branches at once, and thus neither can control hm. Cheney has used his previous government experience to craft a co-presidency with GWB, and many politicial reporters believe that most policy begins at his door. As VP, Cheney is accountable to no one. The President may not fire him, only request his resignation. It does not take a fool to understand that Cheney is the key to understanding the secrecy of this administration. Cheney has purposely created a shadow government, kept away from the eyes of critics and watchdogs. A company without oversight or dissent can quickly become dangerous and bloated. No company can work effectively if the decision makers are walled off from each other and from the investors they represent. As the largest corporation in the US, the Government has become a cash cow for special interests while robbing the American people. Also, secrecy prevents rational decision-making and reduces the barriers against unethical activities. When the buck stops nowwhere, as in this current administration, accountability and moral behavior will always take a back seat to profits and corruption. It is the duty of every American to always question their government, and ask them how and why a certain policy or law was created. Numerous times in this administration, lobbyists wrote the very laws that would affect or regulate them. Is it really wise to let the wolf guard the sheep?

DO AMERICANS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW?

You bet we do! As taxpayers, we are the fuel for the machine of Government. We must be allowed to know what our tax dollars are spent on, and how the decisions are being created. Secrecy, as readily evident in the current administration, consolidates power into a very small number of people. This can only lead to the expansion of powers, ultimately reaching absolute power. Absolute power can only bring about absolute corruption. The secrecy of this administration has led to the corruption running rampant in Washington, notably including no-bid contracts, Blackwater, the housing crisis, and the ever-increasing cost of the War on Terror.


WHAT CAN WE DO?

Americans must not brush this off as boring process speak. The conduction of policy must be open to ensure fair debate. Without open and public processes, it is impossible for Americans to know who the President is working for: the American People or Big Corporations. We must have a president who recognizes the trappings of power, and will work hard to prevent the corruption that comes along with it. We need a dreamer, who will not allow his views to be chipped away by corporate lobbyists or special interest groups. We need a president who will tell the American people the truth, and will not use the constitution to destroy itself. We must elect a president that will recognize that the american dream is in peril. We must believe in our own abilities to bring about change. We cannot sit in the wayside and wait for change. We must scream for change at the top of our lungs. We must take back our country from the lobbyists and special interest groups. Can we do it? Yes We Can.

[rdenney]

1. * and Elmer Cheney Fudd make Nixon and Company look like a bunch of choir boys! n/t