Our Opinion: Be thankful for the sunshine

Opinions

March 15, 2010

Anonymous The Times-Recorder Mon Mar 15, 2010, 08:24 PM EDT

This is Sunshine Week when every thinking person in our great nation should be thankful that we have laws which make government open. Without these laws, we would be back in the dark ages when government did what it wanted, how it wanted, when it wanted, to whom it wanted and for whom it wanted, none of which is conducive to a democracy.

The Sunshine Laws, otherwise known as Open Meetings/Open Records Laws, otherwise known as the Freedom of Information Act, allow the public access to the inner-workings of our government, from the local to the federal levels. How else can citizens be informed if they can’t get the information they need or want?

That’s one reason newspapers and other media outlets exist: to serve as watchdogs of government. This role does not suggest mistrust or finger pointing. It is what it is. And when government officials respect the Sunshine Laws, they have nothing to worry about.

We feel confident that we have forged strong partnerships with the governments in the local communities we serve. We believe it is our role to get the word out on how government is spending our tax dollars. But on the other hand, we feel it is also our responsibility to question the workings of government when necessary.

Accountability is paramount to trust; it goes both ways.

So this week, and every week, we are thankful for the sunshine which allows the light of day into the workings of our government.

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