The Federal Daily
writes:
Reports compiled by several of open-government advocacy interest groups indicate the federal agencies are struggling to meet Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) guidelines. The Coalition of Journalists for Open Government reviewed internal assessments from 13 cabinet-level departments and nine other agencies and found that FOIA request backlogs increased. For fiscal year 2005, the backlog of requests grew to 31 percent, up from 20 percent the previous year, according to CJOG. "Agencies also said `no' more often--and spent more to do so," CJOG's report said. Patrice McDermott, director for OpenTheGovernment.org, added, "It is surprising how many of the improvement areas were not addressed or rated as poorly addressed.
Goodasgold commented here, "The Bush administration, along with the Republican majority, is methodically removing the public from government affairs. We're in big trouble, and our Democratic representative should be in the streets with bullhorns informing the people of issues like this."
Amen.
Granted most are for
business', but it also hinders government watch groups and non-profits as well. Recent diaries have discussed the "privitization" of government. Here's another definition of privitization: keeping government's actions PRIVATE. The NYT
writes,Tom Coburn, "Republican of Oklahoma drafted a proposal to Congress to create a public database, searchable over the Internet, that would list most government contracts and grants -- exposing hundreds of billions in annual spending to instant desktop view. The proposal,hailed by conservatives, is also sponsored by a Democrat, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, and applauded by liberal groups that support activist government. The House unanimously passed a version of the proposal in late June, though in a form that has drawn outside criticism. The House bill creates a database that would omit contracts, which typically go to businesses, but would include about $300 billion in grants, which usually go to nonprofit groups... Critics say it is a revival of what they call old partisan efforts to "de-fund the left," by reducing grants to liberal groups or adding conditions that limit their activities."
Jimmy Carter recently wrote (July 3, 2006) in the
Washinton Post:
The U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) turns 40 tomorrow, the day we celebrate our independence. But this anniversary will not be a day of celebration for the right to information in our country. Our government leaders have become increasingly obsessed with secrecy. Obstructionist policies and deficient practices have ensured that many important public documents and official actions remain hidden from our view.
The events in our nation today -- war, civil rights violations, spiraling energy costs, campaign finance and lobbyist scandals -- dictate the growing need and citizens' desire for access to public documents.... free flow of information is fundamental for democracy. Whether it's government or private companies that provide public services, access to their records increases accountability and allows citizens to participate more fully in public life. It is a critical tool in fighting corruption, and people can use it to improve their own lives in the areas of health care, education, housing and other public services. Perhaps most important, access to information advances citizens' trust in their government, allowing people to understand policy decisions and monitor their implementation.
More unbelievable, Congress recently funded a study on how to restrict public access to information. I find this very very disturbing but expected in light of what this administration has been doing the last 6 years all in the name of "9-11 has changed everythig.
As Jimmy Carter so eloquently concludes: "We cannot take freedom of information for granted. Our democracy depends on it."