Transparency  Brings About Trust

The events of the last several months have affected all of us. We have seen our savings wiped out, jobs lost, businesses shut down, home values plummet. We have watched as elected officials, at all levels, have betrayed our trust.

We trusted our leaders to look after our interests, protect our tax dollars, and be vigilant in ensuring that we are able to provide for our families and our future.  Government has failed its primary responsibility. 

The process of government has become something that is done out of the view of the public. Where secret deals, political dynasties, job protection for friends and family is the norm, this needs to end. Government must be transparent. 

While everyone recognizes that things will not always go well, but when they don’t, the government must step up to the plate, and shoulder its share of the blame. 

It is incumbent upon us to demand that our government be held accountable and to require transparency, which must exist in a free society, be the norm, rather than the exception.

Whether it is a purchase of a fire truck, or the present national financial situation, what is needed is leadership that allows us, the taxpayers, insight into what is happening, an explanation of why it has happened, and a clear and unequivocal plan as to how it will be fixed. 

FDR said “Confidence thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance.  Without them it cannot live.”  These are the things that our local, state, and federal leaders need to understand and make part of their everyday lives in order to restore our confidence in them and our government.  This can only be accomplished by making government transparent. 

We want, and we deserve a government that will hold our best interests at heart and work together to lead our community, our state, and our nation.  We must not only expect that our government will do a better job and involve all of us in the process, we must demand it. Transparency will always bring about accountability.

Jonathan Best

for Stratford

Paid for by BEST FOR STRATFORD ,   Richard Kliendienst Sr.,Treasurer