Answers: Government Transparency

How can the public gain greater access and insight into the discussions and negotiations that shape public policy?

FROM OUR INBOX

Despite the added cost, all public officials should be given government-issued mobile devices and computers with specific instructions that all correspondence undertaken as an elected official should only take place on those devices and through predetermined portals.

As social media and other technological advances make it easier for elected officials to communicate with constituents, there must remain a record of such correspondence for the public. It isn't a gray area, but a mandate. The public should always have access to what's being done by the people they elect and pay to serve.

Jay C.

Marion

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Citizens have a right to expect answers to our questions from our elected City Council.

How is discussion possible when council members don't speak to you, and you're asking about a specific item on the agenda? People new to council meetings are often surprised and uncomfortable when they get the silent treatment.

Silent council members deter citizens from addressing the Council, and imposing arbitrary time limits deters citizens from understanding where their tax dollars are spent. Maybe that's the idea?

Carol M.

Cedar Rapids

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The entire mess with the Hillary Clinton emails was blown out of proportion and is being used to score political points. When the George W. Bush White House lost more than two million email messages that Congress had requested, there was not nearly so much outrage.

Beverly S.

Coralville

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The biggest hurdle to transparency that the American public faces is the apparent unwillingness of media on all levels to cover and edit stories honestly.

Michael J.

Cedar Rapids

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FROM FACEBOOK

' Cory W.: So many people are turned off by government, so at this point I question how many want access. Journalists, who have typically been the front for the people, have responded by giving the apathetic what they desire. Which is more 'stories” that fit with the consumers preconceived bias, or celebrity news. It's at core our fault for not putting down our fast food more often and asking questions. Few want to ask questions, because they don't want to deal with the answers.

' Terry P.: The public/people have no say in government anymore. Money talks and BS walks.