transparency

Watch AmericanLP's newest Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcWViJbIm0o

What are Mitt Romney's "In-Context" Economic Views?
Mitt Romney and his campaign have complained incessantly about being quoted "out-of-context" on his economic views. In an effort to help the Romney campaign we have gathered all of his economic views in one place and organized them in a comprehensive manner in order to give voters a complete and thorough view of Romney's economic philosophy.

That's a really big if, Rob.

If Speaker Tillis and Senate President Pro Tem Berger have any interest in doing the right thing, they should cancel the special legislative session scheduled for next Thursday immediately.

Truth is, none of the Tarheel Taliban has any interest in doing the right thing. They're on a whacked-out power trip ... and it's going to get a lot worse before it gets any better.

"A direct assault on Internet users" is what the ACLU is calling it. Yesterday a U.S. House committee approved HR 1981, a broad new Internet snooping bill. They want to force Internet service providers to keep track of and retain their customers' information -- including your name, address, phone number, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, and temporarily-assigned IP addresses.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the American Library Association, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Demand Progress, and 25 other civil liberties and privacy groups have expressed our opposition to this legislation. Will you join us, by emailing your lawmakers today?

Despotic regimes thrive on secrecy, and except for a smattering of honest libertarians, conservative policy makers today instinctively seek to shield their actions from public view. Dick Cheney, for example, mastered the dark art of deception, even as he kept the Clown-in-Chief from muddling his mind with too many facts. The same is true with the NCGOP leadership in Raleigh, who have quickly forgotten the risks of governing behind closed doors. Their latest attempt to veil public information is a unwelcome step in the wrong direction.

I occasionally hear talk, even from lefties, on Jones Street about how the new GOP majority is more transparent and democratic than the Dems were before them (cough -- low bar -- cough ). The GOP majority's handling of the debate surrounding Health Exchange legislation should put those relative complements to rest.

'Citizen Journalism': necessary for transparency in government by
* Martha Brock at Examiner.com/Raleigh/Government, January 30, 2011

RALEIGH, NC:

COMMENTARY I am revisiting today an issue that I think deserves the special attention of voters and government officials at all levels alike: transparency in government.

My first aricle as a writer was based on observations as a former lobbyist and a long-time political activist and as a former candidate for political office.

I am reposting that brief commentary from July 2010 below this article.I had repeated skirmishes with local, state, and federal officials and staff of government agencies over access to information as a lobbyist, and as I advocated for several private, nonprofits at the NCGA.

Tags:

I am sure the question will immediately arise, why post this and why now? I am doing so, as I am told that at the most recent meeting of the Board of the Wake Democratic party some of those present asked why I had resigned. They were told by the elected officers (all of whom received this letter prior to my resignation), that "they did not know why." So here goes:

To: Mary Starkey,Acting Chair, Wake Democratic Party
Via Email

Re: Resignation as Raleigh Vice-chair Wake Democratic Party
Resignation Effective September 15, 2010

I am resigning after considering the controversy at every meeting I have attended since accepting a “compromise” election based on the vote in April 2010 at the most recent County Executive Committee Meeting. I am still waiting for Minutes from that meeting over 4 months ago, but my recollection is as follows for any not in attendance or whose memories have “faded:”

On the heels of last week's reflections on the psychological impact of transparency in government, an exploration of the natural and legal challenges associated with opening up government is in order.

I sat down with Elon University Associate Provost Dr. Connie Book the other day, who also serves as the Executive Director of the NC Open Government Coalition's Sunshine Center. The interview was illuminating to say the least, and I'd like to share with you some of the things Connie and I discussed.

There's an old saying we all know: A picture is worth a thousand words.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_Transparency_Act

So far only two NC Democratic representatives have cosponsored this legislation, and Hagan has yet to co-sponsor the Senate bill.

It's just shameful to see Republicans dominating this issue when really it is Democrats who proclaim to be champions of transparency and regulation for out-of-control financial institutions.

This is the kind of legislation that everyone should be supporting. It was introduced in the House by Ron Paul, and has over 290 cosponsors. All Republicans have signed on, along with many Democrats.

The Senate bill is currently standing at 27 cosponsors, and was introduced by the progressive/socialist Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Yeah, a bill introduced by a an avowed socialist has been cosponsored by Burr but not Hagan. What the heck?