Grows in the Dark

There has been a lot of talk about "transparency" in government in the last couple of years. Those running for office seem to think that it is a good thing. Those in government somehow find that it is not that easy to do. But there are some powerful stories around that ought to make those in power think more about making the effort for more honesty, more transparency in their affairs.

Perhaps the biggest scandal which demonstrates one of the great reasons for being open and transparent is the Roman Catholic Church priests' sex scandal. The story shows that evil grows bigger in secret. All one has to do is look at what is happening within the Roman Catholic Church at the moment. Who would not now trade a public scandal in the 60's and 70's for the kind of scandal that is happening now in 2010. It would have been very painful when it happened, but the cover up and the denial that has lasted for years is going to make this scandal even more painful and costly in the pocketbook.

The Roman Catholic Church's scandal is strong evidence that evil gets worse, grows bigger, and smells a lot worse if it is kept in the dark. The more obvious and easier lesson is that good openness in public affairs help to prevent abuses and mistakes. Open bidding for contracts helps prevent sweetheart deals like those that were made in Iraq. Open public meetings help prevent decisions that are based on misinformation. Transparency helps to prevent problems from getting started.

Openness and transparency help to prevent evil and mistakes from growing larger and more difficult to handle. Of course, when you are the one on the committee or when it has been your error that is about to be made public, it is pretty hard to see the good in making it public. But I do remember one of those sayings, "When you make a mistake, acknowledge it quickly and openly, crow tastes better warm."