The Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act were created to encourage transparency between government officials and the citizens. These laws are not perfect but they serve a purpose that allows the average citizen to obtain information about our governmet and to attend meetings of our public officials where decisions are made. Unfortunately, in today’s political climate transparency and openess continue to be a problem.
Since the beginning of this pandemic, Governor Whitmer has said that she will let the data help her decide as to when we can open up (or close down). Up until recently I have been in agreement with her handling of the pandemic. Recently, her lack of transparency is getting on my nerves. I expected more of her.
What data is she using to keep our high school student athletes from participating in winter sports, especially when 48 other states are already allowing or will be allowing winter sports in their high schools? How is Michigan’s data so different than Ohio and Indiana? I do not believe it is too much to ask for her to share with us the data that she is using to make her decision. Is her data different than the data I can obtain from Johns Hopkins’ website, Bridge Magazine’s website, the State of Michigan’s website, or the NY Times’ website? If so, share it with us.
What data is she using that groups the local family diner that doesn’t serve alcohol and has no bar area with restaurants that have large bar areas and encourage the use of alcohol? Why is she opening up the bars and restaurants on February 1 at 25% capacity? What data is she using to come up with that decision? Is it too much to ask for her to share with us the data she is using to make her decisions? I don’t think so.
On top of the lack of transparency related to the above, we suddenly have Michigan’s Director of Health and Human Services resign abruptly last week, with no explanation as to why. The person who has been issuing all the restrictions suddenly resigns and no one is telling us why. Where is the transparency? Doesn’t the governor know that if she doesn’t tell us why, we are going to make up our own reasons as to why he left and none of them show her in a favorable light? We are going to find out eventually. She might as well be transparent with us now.
Now more than ever, we need our politicians to be transparent. Transparency and honesty go hand in hand. It is something that I value as I vote for political office.
Stay safe. Wear your mask. Wash your hands regularly. Social distance. Schedule your vaccine.
Quote of the Day: “Why can’t we build orphanages next to homes for the elderly? If someone were sitting in a rocker, it wouldn’t be long before a kid will be in his lap.” Cloris Leachman, who passed away today at 94.
Orchid for the Day: President Biden for calling our Putin in his phone call yesterday for the cyber attack and the bounty Russia put on American soldiers in the middle east. It is nice to have a semblance of normalcy by remembering that Putin and Russia are not our friends.
Onion for the Day: SenatorTed Cruz, just because.