Transparency critics are peddling public ignorance to ‘fix’ government

Hang around the nation's capital long enough and inevitably even the most grizzled newsroom veteran reads something so utterly wrong that he is left speechless.

Such a moment arrived for this ink-stained wretch Thursday while reading a Washington Post op-ed by Bipartisan Policy Center President Jason Grumet. His piece included this declaration about post-Watergate reforms designed to bring government out from behind closed doors:

"But while openness is indeed key to a functioning democracy, there is a dark side to sunlight. Deliberation, collaboration and compromise rarely flourish in front of TV cameras or when monitored by special interests.

Most government staff now operate under the principle of 'don't write that down' and avoid raising concerns and challenging questions altogether for fear that they will be publicly revealed to embarrassing effect. Continue>>>
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