EDITORIAL: Sunshine and government

Sunshine brings light to a darkened world. Sunshine disinfects. Sunshine puts light on government activities and allows the average citizen to see what is being done in the name of the taxpayers of South Carolina.

This is Sunshine Week, a period where newspapers across the country emphasize the role of open government to the American experience. Sunshine is essential to life, and it is essential to a free, democratic society.

All too often, the people who are elected to office believe the decisions they make are theirs alone. They fail to recognize that they represent the people. The decisions they make, the money they vote to spend and the regulations they approve all need to be done in the light of openness - out in the sunshine.

Secret meetings, discussions behind closed doors, undocumented voice votes and measures rushed through public bodies without significant debate and public discourse are all clouds which block the sunshine of open government. Our government, whether on the federal, state or local level, needs to be open and above board. It is after all the government of the people and for the people - not of the politicians and for the politicians.

While news organizations have traditionally been the watchdogs which ensure open government, it is really the job of all citizens. Voting is not the only activity which requires the participation of the citizens. Watching over the operation of government and ensuring that sunshine continues to enlighten the process of governing is the job of all.