Simplicity not Transparency
Is there one politician that doesn’t describe the need for a “more TRANSPARENT government”? Transparency is the mantra of everyone as they run for office or while they are in office. We have all heard the thought that “we are what we eat”. The same applies to what we think. If we focus our thoughts on a “transparent” government that is what we get. I challenge each of you to really consider what you are asking for. The word Transparent in no way refers to a better government.
I believe we already have a government as transparent as we can afford to have. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary I do not understand exactly what a politician means by using the word transparent. It certainly isn’t #1 or #2 below.
#3 or #4 could apply but do we really want an invisible government? We are going to have some form of government and an invisible government would be scary. Imagine what politicians could do if we couldn’t see them!
If #5 applies we would have a government that is “readily understood”. That doesn’t mean easily understood it just means readily. I guess that means about 5% of the population may be able to understand what the government does.
#6 certainly applies – a government that is free from pretense or deceit would be a great start. But this wouldn’t create a government that solves any more problems or spends our money more wisely.
#7 was probably added to the definition of transparency after the Freedom of Information Act was passed. Access to information doesn’t define a workable government it only means that we can access the information.
I don’t think any of these definitions of transparency actually describe a government that is any better than what we have today. When politicians use the word transparent they are attempting to describe a government that operates in a manner that is invisible to the American voters. I for one do not want an invisible government I want a SIMPLE government!
Starting with #8 below find a definition that does not describe the type of government our Constitution created. I want a government that is free from guilt or vanity; that is not sophisticated; is simple and honest and free from secondary complications.
A government that has only one main clause and no subordinate clauses would be perfect! Imagine a simple government streamlined into one organization eliminating hundreds of committees and sub-committees getting their work done efficiently and with less waste. Without modifiers, complements and objects in the way of serving the people would be an excellent way to organize the government.
If the government is a basic element serving the people free from elaboration or figuration were would all be satisfied. Elected officials could probably serve their entire life in office and we wouldn’t have to worry about term limits.
We wouldn’t want a retarded government and using simple to describe the government could easily describe our current government – “simple minded”. But simple minded could also describe a government that doesn’t require a specialized college degree to comprehend. A simple minded government would be an organization every voter could understand.
So what do you want? An transparent (invisible) government or simple government”
Transparency
- Having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly :
- Allowing the passage of a specified form of radiation (as X-rays or ultraviolet light) :
- Fine or sheer enough to be seen through :
- Easily detected or seen through :
- Readily understood :
- Free from pretense or deceit :
- Characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning practices :
Simple
- Free from guile :
- free from vanity :
- Free from ostentation or display :
- Of humble origin or modest position :
- Lacking in knowledge or expertise :
- 13. Not socially or culturally sophisticated :
- Sheer, unmixed, simple honesty :
- Free of secondary complications :
- Having only one main clause and no subordinate clauses :
- Having no modifiers, complements, or objects :
- Constituting a basic element :
- Free from elaboration or figuration :
- 20. Not subdivided into branches or leaflets :
- Not limited or restricted , a simple obligation :
- Readily understood or performed :
- 23. Of a statistical hypothesis : specifying exact values for one or more statistical parameters :
- Not made up of many like units :
- 25. Mentally retarded :
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transparent