Research Of The Purpose Of Government Transparency
Government transparency is a definite good in a world of seemingly gray issues and beliefs. Transparency holds a summed up definition for many people, but in short it is The government ( Federal, state, or local ) being open to matters. It shows honesty and gives the government a good look while also holding elected officials more accountable. Transparency can be involved in different ways such as: releasing records, posting classified documents online, or even investigating corruption.
One reason we can all unite on is that transparency promotes an informative society. We already know that a large sum of us would rather be on twitter or instagram and we really only care about politics when something major surfaces, like looking at an iceberg, we only see the surface. Why not use those tools the government could disclose information about taxes and businesses online.
The second main reason is investigating corruption. The only thing keeping our elected officials in check are their voters and other politicians. Not a very good safeguard having to wait several years or put trust in another devil’s word. If we could have some form of monitoring official’s spending activities, or anything unorthodox they might be doing. A prime example would be Lifelock from the commercial; alerting people if anything awry.
My third reason is transparency saving time. We’ve seen how the president addresses the nation when a horrible tragedy strikes the nation and congress has to release some embarrassing information. But, why not just address the public through more effective, logical, and quicker means. The government could just as easily create a website -one in which you have to be an american to log on to for added protection- where the president could type a message, have it reviewed by his assistants and staff, then send it where every single american, and only americans, could view it. Congress could do this at a macro level sending information of expenses of what has been bought where americans can view what their tax money is going into immediately.
Undoubtedly, people would argue against transparency. But why? Transparency costs too much! True, our nation has comprised a massive amount of debt over the years with our spending practices. But allow me to ask you this. What costs more? A seasoned brick mason or a mason who doesn't even know what he’s doing half of the time. Take your pick and see and find out what costs more than. Transparency will be worth a pretty penny, but that’s with anything good in life. Transparency is guaranteed to work; a lifelong stronghold we can trust in for fortitude. Politicians; however, you are believed to trust them at their word and what they do with your hard earned money. Secondly people would exclaim the transparent institution created would just become biased or corrupted itself. What some do not understand is that we all have biases in us no matter how hard you say otherwise. If your a judge and two different contestants with outstanding projects, but one of them is your child would you not feel partial to immediately favor them.
Juries themselves, the people who are in trusted to scrutinise every detail of a case, also at times determine whether someone will walk free or die, become ridel full of sympathy or immediate dissatisfaction numerous times we have seen this, but they and we are only human mistakes purposeful and intentional are part of our being. In that regard; however, juries have proven to be very accurate. Most often. If we were to have a jury for a specific area in each part of the country full of citizens from that area they could be informed of political cases or issues occuring and prepare for them. They must be informed just as the populace would. Not all of the cases will go smoothly or perfectly, but perfection is something we strive for not something we become. No system is perfect, no one is perfect, but there are things that can be great.
All we have to lose with transparency if we start a transparency- like department or system is. money. But we could gain so much more to inform our society, exposing corrupted officials and bringing them to justice. A great thing sets a great example; people will look at what has been accomplished through hard, trying times. And what seemingly has been a long time for many of us, most americans will see hope. One more question that may be raised is if we were to have a transparent system what would be more logical to have it brought about as. Should it be more technical dealing with the internet and online, or would it be should it be more tangible with actual court dates and assembling local people to attend the trials. It would be more logical and beneficial to have both we could, but if we were to weigh in on which one holds more value I think since most americans are on the internet and carry a portable cellular device. If we only had the chance to choose one having information and investigations posted on sites made by the local, state and federal government and posted by them as well would probably be the best choice.
To end off transparency offers us information to ourselves and to each other, it offers insight to things that once seemed gray within our own government. It upholds accountability and responsibility. All of these qualities build trust, and more logical thinking. Yes it will have flaws just like anything or anyone else. Some fights will be lost. But it is all for the love and passion of the american dream. As one of the founding fathers Benjamin Franklin advocated that: anyone who gives up their liberties for safety should never have them to begin with.
