OurCivicDuty.com: Government Secrecy

"In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened."

- Gearoge Washington,
His Farewell Address.

Government Secrecy

Secrecy within the US Government has reached unprecedented levels. Every day an increasing number of decisions are made behind closed doors instead of in the public light where they should be investigated, critiqued, and debated by the American people. This is a particularly disturbing trend for a government that is intended to be open and forthcoming so that it can be controlled by the people. This unwarranted secrecy is not only contrary to our ideas of just government, but it also threatens our freedom so profoundly that it should be one of the major topics of public discourse.

To fulfill our civic duty, we require access to as much information as possible about our government, policies, politicians, political rationale, etc. Without such information we cannot form a complete, informed opinion or understanding regarding how we should steer the country. When only those in power are privy to that information, they inevitably control both government and the people. And just because we elect people to make those decisions on our behalf doesn't mean that the right of the people to know should be disregarded.

The level of secrecy and the potential effects it could have on our lives is currently evident in a few high-level government officials and business leaders' plans for the creation of a North American Union - the merging of the United States, Canada, and Mexico into one unit.

"True history, in which all will be believed, [is] preferable to unqualified panegyric, in which nothing is believed."

- Thomas Jefferson, 1816.

OurInformation: Withheld and Hidden

As is stated repeatedly throughout this site, the government of the United States belongs to the people and exists solely to benefit the people. It is unfortunate that we have to fight and petition to obtain information that should be ours to begin with, but this is clearly not the opinion of those in power. They believe that this information belongs to the government itself, not the people, and they will fight to ensure that they retain control of it because of the power it affords them.

"I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy."

- George Washingtoon.

"National Security"

Some information cannot be immediately released to the public for the sake of the security of the country. The problem with this reality is the obvious abuse of this necessary privelege by United States Inc. which in reality has no right to operate under the guise of "National Secutity" when, in fact, the corporation is a threat. Almost anything can be kept secret under the guise of "National Security" because almost anything can contribute to the security of the country.

"Free people think they have a right to an explanation of the circumstances which give rise to the necessity under which they suffer."

- Thomas Jefferson, 1781.

"There are various ways of keeping truth out of sight." --Thomas Jefferson

The Politician's Excuse for Secrecy

Though not true of every politician, it can be said that many hold the elitist view that their job is an opportunity to operate the country in whatever way they decide. They believe that withholding information is acceptable because it allows them to do what they believe is best for the country without the public being fully aware of their actions. After all, they know what's best for us, and our dissent may slow down the change that they are trying to affect.

Some policies that politician's try to enact are contrary to what they said while trying to get elected. Many of these planned policies are even purposefully withheld from the public while running for office. And what their constituents attempt to compel them to do before elected and while in office is often overshadowed by their own ideas and agendas. Like president Bush, they view their election as a "mandate" allowing them "spend poliical capital" despite the fact that a majority of citizens often oppose their actions.

Current Instances of Secrecy

The creation of a North American Union
More items and related information to come...

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