Upon assuming the office of the presidency, Barack Obama promised the most transparent administration ever. Nobody asked him to do that, but given the unpopularity of the secrecy of the George W. Bush administration, it was a safe bet that such a promise would be received warmly. President Obama laid out his rationale in a memorandum which included the following key points (emphasis in original):
Government should be transparent. Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing.
Government should be participatory. Public engagement enhances the Government's effectiveness and improves the quality of its decisions. Continue>>>
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