The conversation that dominated much of the past legislative session was focused on good, open government. What’s very important in any discussion of “good” or “open” government is the fact that these terms should be considered separate but equal. To paraphrase the song “you can’t have one without the other”.

Open government allows for a public accounting of the positions taken by elected officials and enables the voters to determine whether they feel that their representative is acting in their best interests.

Anytime the system impedes that access to accountability it becomes somewhat obstructionist to good government and certainly to accountability. Therefore if the current system enables individuals or a minority of membership to supersede the rights of the majority to a fair and open debate or cast a vote up or down that would record their position, it should be reformed.

Whether the system is manipulated to insulate oneself personally or portray oneself falsely is almost secondary to the fact that flaws in the system enables and allows that type of behavior.

In the political process participants attitudes can be changed and certainly participants themselves can be changed at the ballot box, but if the system, with inherent structural flaws, is not changed it perpetuates the opportunities and temptation for abuse.

Changing or reforming the infrastructural flaws in the system is the only logical approach to assure open and good government.

                                         
John Kowalko (State Representative-25th District)
134 N. Dillwyn Rd.
Newark, De. 19711
H. 302 737 2396
C. 302 547 9351
Email: jkowalko@verizon.net