Transparency in Government

DonShaw

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Friday December 12, 2014 · 6:55 PM PST

2014/12/12 · 18:55

Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis’ article in the December 20, 1913 edition of Harper’s Weekly is often cited for his maxim, “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” The article, entitled What Publicity Can Do, was one of a series of articles he compiled into a book he published; Other People’s Money and How the Bankers Use It. Brandeis asserted that transparency was a necessary reform to check the power of large banks. His theories served as the foundation for the establishment of the Federal Trade Commission.

Just as the FTC is the federal regulatory agency responsible for protecting consumers and promoting competition, the Virginia State Corporation Commission, “is vested with regulatory authority over many business and economic interests in Virginia.” (SCC website) The SCC wields significant power and its decisions are not reviewable by any state entity except the Virginia Supreme Court. As has been said on more than one occasion, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Government has a responsibility to be accountable to its citizens.

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