Behind Closed Doors

In a Christian Science Monitor article by Liz Marlantas about the recent debate, some of the Republican’s she interviewed are trying not to place too much meaning on just the first debate. What I found interesting is what a young accountant in Worcester, Pa. had to say, “We don’t know what goes on in the meetings he has behind the scenes at the White House.” In the context of the his complete quote, this guy was being complimentary of Bush. However, I don’t think he realizes just how telling his observation is.

He is absolutely correct, we don’t know what is going on at the White House, and that is not a good thing. It’s something of great concern. The secrecy with which this White House conducts the public’s business is disturbing. Patrick Henry warned, ?The liberties of the people never were nor ever will be secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.?

In John Dean’s recent book, Worse Than Watergate, Dean says, “It appears that Bush and Cheney will keep Americans in the dark about dilemmas facing democracy in times of catastrophic crisis; they will dumb the nation down through their official silence. So when the moment comes and terrorists surprise America with an even greater spirit-shattering attack than 9/11, Bush and Cheney will simply push aside the Constitution they have sworn to uphold, inflame public passions with tough talk to rally support (as television news runs endless loops of whatever the disaster, as if no one has seen it, while sensationalizing the event with the 24/7 coverage the terrorists so crave), and take this country to a place it has only been once. For eleven weeks during the outset of the Civil War, President Lincoln became what scholars have euphemistically called a constitutional dictator. But with terrorism it will likely not be so brief.”

The secrecy and the closed doors just go on and on with an arrogance that defies explanation. Yet Karl Rove has been able to convince half of America that all this means is that Bush is “working hard” and is “determined.” As he showed in last week’s debate, he’s not accusomted to nor comfortable with being questioned about his actions, but I DON’T CARE. As Woodrow Wilson said, ?the only truly self-governing people is that people which discusses and interrogates its administration.”

So, Geoge, open the doors, and let the people in….it’s our house, its our country, and its our business…even more than it is yours.