5.18.2009
More Closed Doors, Less Public Scrutiny?
In response to a complaint about the lack of public hearings for the state budget signed February 20, a lobbyist pal noted that such issues were only important to the media.
“What are the two most important documents in American History?” he asked.
Both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were written in private and then presented to the public. Would that the budget were of the same caliber.
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And slavery was perpetuated and women were denied the right to vote. I love such arguments.
Comment by george skelton — 5.18.2009 @ 4:08 pm
Publish the name of the lobbyist so I am certain to never retain that person. What arrogance!
Comment by Ken Dunham — 5.18.2009 @ 4:28 pm
The Declaration was a seditious document that resulted in hangings, bankruptcies, imprisonment and financial ruin for the signatories. The constitution was written by a committee–which took a long time to complete its work–and then presented it to the states for deliberation, debate and confirmation.
The first obtained public debate and input by virtue of the Revolutionary War. Some signed up, some supported the King and some hid. The result of which was not certain until quite late in the proceedings.
The Constitution also sparked debate until finally ratified. The Articles would have prevailed had the Constitutionalist not, with the help of the Federalist Papers, convinced the public to embrace federalism.
Could either have survived a wider “committee” and more “public input”? Perhaps a few thousand of John Coupal’s thoughtful supporters yammering on the Steps? Or maybe a Local, chanting “Don’t Cut Me. . .”
So the the lobbyist is right on both counts. Democracy sometimes prevails when partially practiced in close sessions–as long as the result finds sufficient debate and decision.
Comment by lotuslover — 5.18.2009 @ 5:31 pm
Skelton is right. I could ad a longer list but I am too tired.
Comment by Barbara o\'c — 5.18.2009 @ 7:02 pm
Geez
What is all the whining about, there’s no crying in making sausage.
Come on George, deals aren’t made in a conference committee, the last real conference committee was the electric dereg and we all know how that worked out.
Could the napkin deal have been made in 4203? I don’t think so…
To much knee jerk information has paralyzed the legislature, talk radio, Fox, MSNBC, twitter, blogs (Nothing personal GREGSTER) , all racing to be first and of course the most sensational. These outlets don’t verify, they vilify.
Give me, a back booth at Fats and 4 leaders any day. OOPS! Forget everything the operative term Leaders doesn’t exist.
Keep Bloggin
Comment by Wally Webgas — 5.19.2009 @ 5:37 am
“More Closed Doors, Less Public Scrutiny?”
should read “EVEN More Closed Doors, EVEN Less Public Scrutiny?”
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Comment by Rodd — 2.14.2010 @ 3:44 am