Transparancy & Open Government...by Barack H. Obama

[RobMoney$]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment/

My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.

Government should be transparent. Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing. Information maintained by the Federal Government is a national asset. My Administration will take appropriate action, consistent with law and policy, to disclose information rapidly in forms that the public can readily find and use. Executive departments and agencies should harness new technologies to put information about their operations and decisions online and readily available to the public. Executive departments and agencies should also solicit public feedback to identify information of greatest use to the public.

Government should be participatory. Public engagement enhances the Government's effectiveness and improves the quality of its decisions. Knowledge is widely dispersed in society, and public officials benefit from having access to that dispersed knowledge. Executive departments and agencies should offer Americans increased opportunities to participate in policymaking and to provide their Government with the benefits of their collective expertise and information. Executive departments and agencies should also solicit public input on how we can increase and improve opportunities for public participation in Government.

Government should be collaborative. Collaboration actively engages Americans in the work of their Government. Executive departments and agencies should use innovative tools, methods, and systems to cooperateamong themselves, across all levels of Government, and with nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals in the private sector. Executive departments and agencies should solicit public feedback to assess and improve their level of collaboration and to identify new opportunities for cooperation.

I direct the Chief Technology Officer, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Administrator of General Services, to coordinate the development by appropriate executive departments and agencies, within 120 days, of recommendations for an Open Government Directive, to be issued by the Director of OMB, that instructs executive departments and agencies to take specific actions implementing the principles set forth in this memorandum. The independent agencies should comply with the Open Government Directive.

This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

This memorandum shall be published in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA


Upon being elected, Nancy Pelosi speaks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5KC7zwdMfE&feature=player_embedded) about Transparancy, Civility, Bi-partisanship, and a desire to give the American people the 'change' they voted for by voting Democrats to take control of the House, to give Americans "the most honest, the most open, and the most ethitical congress in history."




...and this is the Government we're getting,



http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9476075
House and Senate Democrats intend to bypass traditional procedures when they negotiate a final compromise on health care legislation, officials said Monday, a move that will exclude Republican lawmakers and reduce their ability to delay or force politically troubling votes in both houses.

The unofficial timetable calls for final passage of the measure to remake the nation's health care system by the time President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address, probably in early February.

Democratic aides said the final compromise talks would essentially be a three-way negotiation involving top Democrats in the House and Senate and the White House, a structure that gives unusual latitude to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California.



Obama prods Congress to pass health bill quickly
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9D2BMRO3.htm
President Barack Obama is prodding House and Senate Democrats to get him a final health care bill as soon as possible, encouraging them to bypass the usual negotiations between the two chambers in the interest of speed.

Obama delivered the message at an Oval Office meeting Tuesday evening with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his No. 2, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., joined in by phone.

They agreed that rather than setting up a formal conference committee to resolve differences between health bills passed last year by the House and Senate, the House will work off the Senate's version, amend it and send it back to the Senate for final passage, according to a House leadership aide, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss the private meeting.


Words, Just Words (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M6x1H08aFc)

I couldn't find the stand alone video of Obama giving his "Just Words" speech.
I'm not trying to bait the liberals with this video, and this thread isn't about plagiarism. I just wanted to show that Obama stated that words are important. It shows the content of the charater, and strength of conviction when your actions and words coincide.

Can anyone honestly still believe anything Nancy Polosi, Harry Reid or Barrack Obama say?
Of course Republicans have honesty problems too. However, this is extraordinary and a blatant disregard of their entire partys' campaign platform. Passing a bill behind closed doors and passing out huge bribe money for votes is not how the system should work.

This bill is so ugly we have to bribe Democrats with hundreds of millions of dollars of pork to vote for it. It's an ugly bill, and the process in which it is being passed is even uglier.
IMO this is thee defining moment for Obama and Democrats that will haunt them for years.

[yeahwho]

I'm starting to think you're obsessed with hating Obama.

[RobMoney$]

I have a problem with anyone who decides he wants to govern by his own rules. Didn't like it when "W" did it, and I don't like Obama doing it.


MEET THE NEW BOSS...

[yeahwho]

Is it just a coincidence or do all Obama haters always try and roll out a campaign of hatred all at the same time?

These cycles of anti-Obama rhetoric every other week are becoming a familiar landscape. They easily manipulate some of the dumber sorts to go into infantile conniptions without any real solutions. Just a continual spewing of stomach acid.

Fuck why don't you become a teabagger, or are you already one?

[valvano]

also supports taxing health benefit plans even though he campaigned against the idea:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100106/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul

[valvano]

I'm starting to think you're obsessed with hating Obama.


pointing out a politicians hypocrisy and lies is "hate"?

[yeahwho]

lol it's like clockwork.

[RobMoney$]

Way to debate the issue at hand, yeahwho.
When you can't figure out how to actually defend Obama, drag it down to mud-slinging & name calling.


We continue to set the standard for all political debate on the internet.

[cj hood]

all politicians = wrestlers
fox news = wwe (wwf)

who ever yells the loudest is correct!

[travesty]

Is it just a coincidence or do all Obama haters always try and roll out a campaign of hatred all at the same time?

These cycles of anti-Obama rhetoric every other week are becoming a familiar landscape. They easily manipulate some of the dumber sorts to go into infantile conniptions without any real solutions. Just a continual spewing of stomach acid.

Fuck why don't you become a teabagger, or are you already one?

C'mon yeahwho you aren't really trying to defend the administration's closed door, back room handling of this legislation are you? The lack of transparency is appalling to everyone and pointing out the fact that this was actually one of his top capmpaign promises does not make a person a "hater". It makes them logical. If, however, you are a "whatever means necessary" Democrat on this issue, then you sir are no better than a teabagger. Care to define what a teabagger is....I could use some clarification.

[Echewta]

I don't think Rob is hat'n as much as pointing out. The "New Thread" option certainly gives all of the Obama lovers plenty of opportunity to praise, etc. I don't see many of those posts.

Valvano is the only one who will New Thread and bail, rarely, if ever, admitting when he/she/they are incorrect.

[saz]

Way to debate the issue at hand, yeahwho.
When you can't figure out how to actually defend Obama, drag it down to mud-slinging & name calling.


We continue to set the standard for all political debate on the internet.

oh yeah, you set a standard (http://www.beastieboys.com/bbs/showpost.php?p=1700471&postcount=135) alright.

anyways, this is just more fake republican/teabagger outrage. boohoo, the republicans are shut out of the house and senate finalizing a crappy bill, when there's only one of them who voted (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/louisiana-republican-congressman-cao-releases-statement-after-voting-in-favor-of-democratic-health-care-reform-bill_100271697.html) for it. meanwhile shutting out the dems was the norm when the republicans controlled both houses of congress.

[Echewta]

But saying that the Republicans did that to the Dems isn't a good enough answer. That makes the Dems just like Rep. Most of us know that the Republicans pulled this kinda crap all the time. If Obama is talks about crossing party lines etc., then he needs to or explain why the doors are closed. If he were to say "Look, the Republicans are taking this seriously, example, example, and this is a proriety to me because example, example, so we had to get tough and serious and lock people out." Or something like that. Or maybe he did and I'm just not reading it.

[Echewta]

when there's only one of them who voted (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/louisiana-republican-congressman-cao-releases-statement-after-voting-in-favor-of-democratic-health-care-reform-bill_100271697.html) for it.

Interesting, thanks.

[saz]

But saying that the Republicans did that to the Dems isn't a good enough answer. That makes the Dems just like Rep. Most of us know that the Republicans pulled this kinda crap all the time. If Obama is talks about crossing party lines etc., then he needs to or explain why the doors are closed. If he were to say "Look, the Republicans are taking this seriously, example, example, and this is a proriety to me because example, example, so we had to get tough and serious and lock people out." Or something like that. Or maybe he did and I'm just not reading it.

yeah of course the dems are guilty of the same thing, and obama is being hypocritical. but i don't think the average american really cares, and that they're much more concerned with having health insurance and not being denied coverage. also, it's about time the dems stop being such pussies and stand up to the republicans, who are not interested in bi-partisanship or reaching across the aisle but rather attempting to destroy obama like they tried to do with clinton.

[Echewta]

I agree. The Dem party fails to realize that a majority of their supporters want them to act tough and stand up to the Reps. Being civil went out a long time ago (See Cheney to Leahy "Go F Yourself").

[valvano]

so this election really wasnt about hope and change, but rather same ole and same ole?
sounds like you just admitted to as much...:D

[saz]

pretty much, minus the crazy christian right crap, and i'm not an obama supporter

[yeahwho]

Heres the deal, I posted a thread titled "Father Knows Best", it was thought provoking and provided insight into the most pressing issue on our planet today.

For a decade we're killing people as a policy, as a way of life, as a reaction to extremism we've decided to be ultimately more extreme than the extremists. I'm so fucking sick and tired of whiny fucking republican teabag horse shit "I Hate Obama" threads and the idiotic tactics every other week from people who underestimate everyone's intelligence.

This is the stupidest fucking topic

this is thee defining moment for Obama and Democrats that will haunt them for years.

WTF? Not sending in 30,000 troops to Afghanistan? No it will be trying to provide health care that's going to fuck up the democrats. At first it was not being able to provide health care, now the tables have turned and its 180 degrees out. If he succeeds at health care he's fucked. Idiots.

As if I give a shit! I don't. I am much more concerned as to why my fellow Americans concentrate on bipartisan political bullshit rather than stopping the export of our kids to war.

[travesty]

(y) Although I know a few kids in my neighborhhod I would like to see headed to Afghanistan.

[RobMoney$]

Considering the fact that I've said absolutely nothing disparaging about Obama in this thread, I contend that it's YOU who is the one who won't allow debate in this forum to move past the "Teabagger/Obama hater" name calling stage.
Have you dug yourself so far into a foxhole of defending Obama that you're incapable of seeing any fault with him at all?
One of the most basic fundamentals this country was built on is the ability to govern ourselves and the ability to have productive discourse and dialogue about how we ALL want our country to be run. The process in which this legislation is being applied seems to fly in direct opposition of those original fundamentals.

The old "Bush and the GOP did it too" excuse is beyond worn out. That's the main reason why the American people elected Obama and the Dems in the first place, because they were supposed to represent "CHANGE" from what we had, remember?
"W" was among the worst American Presidents in history.
When you're using anything he did as a measuring stick, you're admitting Obama is a failure IMO.

[yeahwho]

I voted for Obama, BFD.

You said and this is a quote

This bill is so ugly we have to bribe Democrats with hundreds of millions of dollars of pork to vote for it. It's an ugly bill, and the process in which it is being passed is even uglier.
IMO this is thee defining moment for Obama and Democrats that will haunt them for years

And now because I do not want to join you in some sort of masturbatory "Obama" hate/love debate you'll have find something else to write about.

You have really no clue as to what I've posted on this board. It's interesting how little you know about the people on here.

This is a stupid thread. That is it. You continue to try and force your viewpoint on people who don't own it. I don't own your perspective of me. You own it.

I don't owe you any courtesy of explaining my political outlook because you continually label mine.

Just like everybody else's on here. It's weird.

[RobMoney$]

Perhaps you're not realizing that Republicans make up approximately 45% of the House, and 41% of the Senate.
Those people deserve to be represented in ALL political discourse.

I have no idea what you're personally going thru, but this isn't about you personally, or your other thread.
If you feel like this is a "stupid thread", then don't contribute to it.

[yeahwho]

I realize fully what is going on here, with the senate and the house and elsewhere.

I also completely understand how being divisive and shoving political ideology down peoples throats work.

If we look at how the senate and house (http://homepage.mac.com/languageismycopilot/gcdotbsdotcom/senators.jpg)actually represent us the republicans are having an incredible day.

It would be just perfect if I did move along. but the topic is Transparancy (sic) & Open Government...by Barack H. Obama,

I haven't seen any mention of how quickly the administration tried to release as much info as it could to the public vs. Bush's endless stonewalling when it came to releasing any info that could prove politically damaging. Could you imagine Bush offering up this kind of report to the public without a subpoena (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfunYxJa8O8&feature=player_embedded)?

So I do disagree with your Meet The New Boss analogy.

[RobMoney$]

I haven't seen any mention of how quickly the administration tried to release as much info as it could to the public vs. Bush's endless stonewalling when it came to releasing any info that could prove politically damaging. Could you imagine Bush offering up this kind of report to the public without a subpoena (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfunYxJa8O8&feature=player_embedded)?


Look, I'm going to give my threads a five "...but Bush sucked too" limit.
You & Saz are just about at the limit for this thread.

[yeahwho]

Look, I'm going to give my threads a five "...but Bush sucked too" limit.
You & Saz are just about at the limit for this thread.

Good, I have four more to go. BTW you are the very first person to make this point with your "Meet The New Boss" statement.

It's always interesting how you respond to something that proves you wrong, unequivocally the last boss would never been this forthright in his mistakes. Why? Because these are two very different people.

[RobMoney$]

Good, I have four more to go. BTW you are the very first person to make this point with your "Meet The New Boss" statement.

Yes, "Meet the New Boss" is implying that the old boss sucked too, right? So why do you continue to throw Bush into the argument.
I'm telling you he sucked, I agree with you.
Now let's stop changing the issue and talk about Obama & the Dems railroading legislation and denying 45% of America representiation on a yet another trillion dollar bill.

It's always interesting how you respond to something that proves you wrong, unequivocally the last boss would never been this forthright in his mistakes. Why? Because these are two very different people.

What was I wrong about?
You think because you utter the phrase "Bush did it too" that renders any conservative wrong in any political debate? LOL.
Talk about tunnel vision...

BTW, the part in red qualifies as the last "but Bush did it too" reference allowable in this thread. The next person to utter this renders himself an idiot.
Also, how the hell did you read my original post and twist this topic into Obama being praised for being forthright? LOL.
Talk about spin doctoring.
It's pretty apparent I'm wasting my time with you as you have no desire to debate an issue in good faith, you're just out to spin doctor.
Good day, Sir.

[travesty]

It's pretty apparent I'm wasting my time with you as you have no desire to debate an issue in good faith, you're just out to spin doctor.


I think I've uncovered yeahwho's Standard Operating Procedures for posts;

1) Blindly defend Obama like he's being paid to do so (Is he? Hmmmm) regardless of the topic.
2) Dismiss the topic at hand as trivial and inane (thereby evading the need for any critical or rational thinking) and start blaming Bush for doing the same thing.
3) Keep ignoring topic at hand and start calling people names like fear mongerer, teabagger or racist.
4) Attempt to change topic to something more universally accepted like outrage over the wars.
5) Blame Bush some more.
6) If none of that works and people insist on discussing the original topic....repeat.

[yeahwho]

lol. I made a valid point about Obama being very different than GWB. He is the new president and he is in charge of the current administration that is governing our lives.

What do I care what you think about me. I'm fine, I live the American Dream and I take care of people around me. I don't agree with bi-partisan political bullshit. I'm making valid points in a thread that most people here are ignoring because basically this is about some bullshit Obama hate.

Sure you wouldn't be baiting anyone. I understand the tactics employed here;

When I didn't post about Obama I was fucked. When I did post about Obama I was fucked. When I made a comparison about Obama I was fucked.

So why don't you call this the "you're fucked" thread?

Because the middle ground is out. I walked from one side across to the other and now not only is Obama still fucked up, so am I.

But guess what, the argument is on and I am right, he is completely different than the last administration. There is a middle and some of the actions taken by this administration are very dangerous and others are very refreshing. All along the way I have seen a much larger attempt to be transparent and open.

I still see absolutely nothing but negativity combined with criticisms rather than solutions here. I have a job I do and if I lived under the state of mind you have been presenting here I would be fired. My company has an administrative office I do not agree with, the goals are different than what I would like to achieve as a part of my profession. They know that I have a different viewpoint than theirs, they respect that and I respect our companies goals because at the end of the day we are surviving brilliantly in a literal sea of economic depression.

Ingenuity combined with solution based thinking pays off.

This is just a bitchfest that the majority of posters are wise enough to not bother with.

Spew some more bullshit my way now.

[valvano]

I think I've uncovered yeahwho's Standard Operating Procedures for posts;

1) Blindly defend Obama like he's being paid to do so (Is he? Hmmmm) regardless of the topic.
2) Dismiss the topic at hand as trivial and inane (thereby evading the need for any critical or rational thinking) and start blaming Bush for doing the same thing.
3) Keep ignoring topic at hand and start calling people names like fear mongerer, teabagger or racist.
4) Attempt to change topic to something more universally accepted like outrage over the wars.
5) Blame Bush some more.
6) If none of that works and people insist on discussing the original topic....repeat.


you forgot to accuse anybody who finds fault with obama as being a racists

[travesty]

My company has an administrative office I do not agree with, the goals are different than what I would like to achieve as a part of my profession. They know that I have a different viewpoint than theirs, they respect that and I respect our companies goals because at the end of the day we are surviving brilliantly in a literal sea of economic depression.


So you're a whore for $$. That explains the kinship with Obama. No shame in that, you're an American afterall.

PS- You're fucked :D (you asked for it)

[yeahwho]

It's on like a three ring circus. Valvano, Robmoney and travesty are schooling me.

[travesty]

And you're the clown.
Goddamn you make this too easy.

[RobMoney$]

When I didn't post about Obama I was fucked. When I did post about Obama I was fucked. When I made a comparison about Obama I was fucked.


Once again, this isn't about you.
Why are you so intent on making this some personal attack?

[yeahwho]

Way to debate the issue at hand, yeahwho.
When you can't figure out how to actually defend Obama, drag it down to mud-slinging & name calling.


We continue to set the standard for all political debate on the internet.

Uh... durrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

you have the responses and you have the chops, I have provided links and I have provided evidence contrary to your post.

[RobMoney$]

OK, onward with the actual issue then...


Why do they have to hide this bill, pass it in a hurry, bribe senators with pork, and use Parliamentary procedures to pass it if the bill was any good?
The process itself screams of a bad bill.
They've gone from Universal Healthcare, down to Single Payer, down to Public Option, down to Expanded Medicare, down to just Mandate.
I'm already on the record as saying it'll go down as one the worst bills in history, not only for the American people, but for the Democratic Party itself.

I have never seen a legislative body go against the will of the people in such an "in your face" manor.
"We have the power and we are going to use it, I don't care what you think, I don't care if the bill is bad, we have the power now and we're going to use it to it's fullest.
So just buzz off. We don't need you, want you, or care what you think." seems to be the order of the day.

What's the proper role of an elected official, to vote the will of the people, or his own will?

[saz]

You & Saz are just about at the limit for this thread.

i have no idea what you're talking about, but i will add that perhaps obama has woken up, along with the rest of the democratic leadership and realized that it's futile trying to kiss republican ass and play nice, that not everyone is going to like obama and it's time to stop being such pansy asses and play hardball. besides, only one republican, a congressman, voted for reform, so why include them anyways?

the one thing i can actually agree with you is that this legislation is weak, and is nothing more than a massive blow job to the pharmaceutical and private health insurance industry, and that prima donna corporate whore douchebags such as ben nelson, mary landrieu and joe lieberman pulled tantrums and got their way (to spite progressives) as well as being essentially bribed. that's the blue dogs for you.

[yeahwho]

The above is such elementary logic.

And to tell all of you guys the truth, I have no idea what your going on about either.

This thread was nonsense when it started. Now it's pathetic. I am having a gas pointing out to you that this thread has no sack.

[RobMoney$]

perhaps obama has woken up, along with the rest of the democratic leadership and realized that it's futile trying to kiss republican ass and play nice, that not everyone is going to like obama and it's time to stop being such pansy asses and play hardball. besides, only one republican, a congressman, voted for reform, so why include them anyways?

I have to doubt that this "New & Improved Obama" theory of yours is true.
GOP Senators Olympia Snowe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3rdPOkY4_M), Suzan Collins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSuTqLlbGEA), Lindsey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jew3NhBv-RU) Graham (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOiSv3jiZ7k) (Lindsey & Grahm are 2 seperate videos) and maybe John McCain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vy_3tLCkSc) would bend over backwards to make this bi-partisan.
The GOP was locked out by design. Olymipia Snowe is a RINO (Republican in name only) in every sence of the word and it's telling that even she is being locked out. Her exclusion especially serves as evidence of the Democrats intentionaly excluding Republicans, when they campaigned on just the opposite.

Words, just words.

[saz]

rubbish, none of them would bend over backwards, and as for olympia snowe, she was opposed to any form of public health insurance or expanding medicare (as are the blue dogs and other useless dems). the republicans are the party of no.

[Documad]

Having grown up in a family of moderate republicans, I've got to say that I see no hope on that front. They're so afraid of being taken down by a right wing nut in their own party in the primaries, they never cross party lines. Those days are gone. It's never been more polarized by party. I'm not sure that I blame the politicians. It's the nutty republican voters. There are fewer of them all the time but the ones that are left are more vocal and they turn out for primaries.

Remember when we used to have prochoice republicans? Most of you are probably too young. :(

McCain was bipartisan when it meant that democrats wouldn't filibuster George W. Bush's conservative supreme court nominees. He was bipartisan when his party was in the majority. Not so much now.

As for the rest of the discussion, I've got to admit that I haven't been following things closely at the national level for the last few months. I'm exhausted. There is too much noise and it takes too much effort for me to find the things I care about.

[travesty]

OR it could just be the fact that this administration keeps coming up with bills that are so absurd and blatantly contrary to conservative values that it is impossible for Republicans to vote for them. Putting all of the blame for our current state of partisan politics on the Republicans is absurd. It's been "eye for an eye" from both sides for decades now.

Also I have to agree with Saz, if McCain, Snowe or Graham were in charge, we wouldn't even be having a health care debate so it's unlikely they would be bending over backwards for anything. Well, maybe Snowe, she's pretty "bendy".

PS- I'm not a pro-choice Republican, But I am a pro-shoice conservative.

[kaiser soze]

I'm pro-shoice too!

awesome :)