I think one of the Democratic Presidential candidates

[tnlurker]

Should put in their platform that they will add cameras to all areas of the executive branch in every department that is not involved in national security. Then the nation could have links to each and every policy meeting and discussion that is held. Truly open government. Every session would be recorded for future viewing for those that can not watch live. This would include the White House. The only exclusions would be the war room, the oval office and maybe couple other rooms. The Treasury, Education,Commerce, EPA and other such office would have total access.

I put this idea in a reply to another post. I wanted to see if the idea would fly by itself

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

1. I Disagree Completely, Though I Find The Intention Honorable.

No matter who is in power, the other party or other party's constituents would parse every word and phrase for some other meaning they could use against them. It would create such an unbelievable distraction that I would consider it to be a huge detriment to our government. I think it would be a political fiasco and political nightmare.

[tnlurker]

5. I know that I am probably in dreamland

But a truly ethical administration would not shy away from such an idea. Because we have not had one like that in quite some time it would take some getting used to idea.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

7. I Don't Think It Has Anything To Do With Ethics. I Think It Has To Do With Being A Catastrophe.

No matter which party is in power the other party or its constituents would use it as fodder to cause daily distractions via parsing and twisting. Even if the administration in question is the most ethical in history, the twisting of what they were or weren't doing would cause them to be in constant defense mode and would waste so much time defending against that real things couldn't get accomplished. I don't see how this could possibly be avoidable.

Though some are cheering the idea on since rhetorically it does sound like it would be fun, when thinking about it a bit more deeply I think you'll see the reality of what I'm tryin to say.

[tnlurker]

10. Thanks

For bringing the reality of todays world into the discussion. With the state of the media and the politics today it would probably be as you described.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

12. It's Sad, Ain't It.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Yes great idea!

I like it.

[zeemike]

3. Government in the sunshine

Not a new idea but one that strikes fear in the hearts of the power brokers.

[tnlurker]

8. We only recently have the technology to achieve this.

But instead of the government spying on the citizens it would be the citizens spying on the government and holding them accountable. We would see every time a lobbyist would meet with a government official to try to influence them. Backroom deals and Duke Cunningham like deals would be a thing of the past. Discussions about which energy company gets which contracts would be in the open.

[tnlefty]

13. You lured me in with this

Let's listen in on their phone calls, check their internet traffic, bank accounts, etc.

No more backroom deals - let the sun shine in, as it really is the best disinfectant and another way to keep them honest!

[rurallib]

4. Man, that could be FUN!

Certainly has some merit. You can already hear the rethuglic arguments against. I believe it is an idea that should at least be brought up. Good job.

[MonkeyFunk]

6. Ugh...

I think it'd be terrible.

Rather than actually discussing things honestly and openly, everything would be a televised political speech.

How could a department Secretary talk about real problems without it being thrown up by the media? Every meeting would be people talking about how swimmingly everything is going. The REAL work would end up getting done in the restrooms, I guess.

[RB TexLa]

9. And who is going to broadcast 3 hour meetings about

European Union regulations effect on American fast food companies operating in Germany.

[tnlurker]

11. Nobody

But it would be on the internet for anybody to view.