Katrina vanden Heuvel: The Sunshine Caucus (The Nation)

[marmar]

BLOG | Posted 02/22/2007 @ 10:39am
The Sunshine Caucus


The Democratic Party's sweep in November was due in no small part to its promise to clean up Washington. For those turned off by the K Street "politics as usual" deforming our democracy check out a new initiative by the Sunlight Foundation – a nonpartisan organization dedicated to using technology to achieve greater openness between members of Congress and their constituents. Urging all Representatives to post their daily schedules online is a good step towards some much-needed transparency.

So far only two freshmen, Representative Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Jon Tester, are heeding the call. Every day Tester reveals each lobbyist, constituent, and colleague he meets with--as well as the duration of the meeting. Gillibrand identifies meeting participants. (In order to address safety concerns schedules are posted the next day. Also, items pertaining to national security are omitted.)

"I believe in transparent government and this is my effort," Tester told the Washington Post.

"This is about ethics reform, letting people know who's bending your ear," said Gillibrand.

Ellen Miller, Executive Director of the Sunlight Foundation, agrees. "This isn't ‘gotcha' politics. But a positive way to respond to public cynicism about Congress. This openness will breed more trust between members and their constituents." .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut?bid=7&pid=168322

[applegrove]

1. Good idea. I hope it catches on.