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 Where are the Modern Ladies (and Gentlemen) of Liberty?
by Tom Campbell
July 3, 2008
What could be more appropriate reading this July Fourth holiday than Cokie Roberts’ new book, Ladies of Liberty? I have enjoyed learning more about the important role women played in the birthing and shaping of this country but, on a larger scale I’ve been reminded of the tremendous sacrifices and struggles undertaken for freedom, prompting me to question how this heritage is currently being exampled in North Carolina.
I have been a student of our legislature since my father was first elected to that body in the 1960’s. It has been interesting to observe the different leadership styles, varied personality types and sometimes curious ways our lawmakers have responded to performing the “people’s business.” To be honest, there has always been some back-room deal making and closed-door meetings, but our current incumbents ought to be ashamed of the levels of secrecy and autocracy with which they are building budgets and passing legislation in our state.
The very reason this nation was founded was to escape the lack of transparency and input the colonies had in British rule of this land. Men and women sacrificed their lives so as to have a voice in the selection of officials and the making of laws.
As we remember them and their contributions let us question how our legislators can justify constructing budgets almost completely behind closed-doors? How can they tolerate the arrogance of kicking out the news media from meetings that ought to be open to the public, or in having silent-sensor buttons installed in legislative offices that summon security personnel to remove citizens who merely want to present letters to one of their elected representatives? How can they continue to violate our Constitution by incurring hundreds of millions of dollars in public debt without seeking voter approval for the projects and the burden for paying for them? How can the response to breaking the law and breaching ethical conduct be even more secrecy? And how can so many good people sit silently and watch these acts transpire? The Revolutionists called this “scurrilous behavior.” Call it what you like, there is a decided trend toward more secrecy and less openness in the legislative process, most especially in our state Senate.
Some of our legislators have been in the General Assembly and positions of power so long they have forgotten they are public servants, there by the “consent of the governed,” not as royalty making decrees. Others have forgotten their role is to stand for the people, not for leadership. With their position comes a corresponding responsibility to be accountable for what and how they do the work of government. It doesn’t help that most citizens show apathy to the way their government makes decisions that affect their everyday lives. The gentle nudging of editorialists and interest groups isn’t changing the situation.
What will it take to bring our legislature, indeed much of our government, into the sunshine and a place where the public has more input and a better chance of knowing what is being said and done on their behalf? Where are the modern ladies (and gentlemen) of Liberty? On this anniversary of our declaration of independence from absolute rule and secrecy in government, this topic is worthy of consideration. |
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