Name me one good reason why Congressmen or women should be allowed to hide any of these claims and settlements from their constituents?
They are elected by the people and supposedly for the people, so THE PEOPLE have every right to know what they are up to. They have turned that place into a den of liars, cheats and thieves.
Washington runs on rumors, but secrecy is what keeps them alive. If Congress wants to end speculation about a taxpayer-funded sexual harassment “slush fund,” the solution is simple: open the books. The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights has the records, and the public has the right to know how many settlements involved elected officials. Transparency protects everyone—victims, taxpayers, and even the accused. If Senator John Cornyn has nothing to hide, disclosure would shut down the rumor mill overnight. Until Congress lifts the curtain, speculation will fill the vacuum. Accountability begins with sunlight, not secrecy.
Ken Paxton’s extramarital affair a few years back feature often in Cornyn’s ads. A revelation that Cornyn has been credibly accused of sexual misconduct would be doubly bad for Cornyn-first for the conduct itself-second for the hypocrisy in attack ads.
“This suggestion should not be understood as an accusation. It is the opposite. It is an opportunity for exoneration.” Except it’s never an exoneration for the ones for whom facts don’t matter for whatever reason. Prime example: Donald Trump was referred to as a convicted rapist notwithstanding his exoneration in the NY case.
That does not mean I don’t believe disclosure would be preferable to concealment.
Name me one good reason why Congressmen or women should be allowed to hide any of these claims and settlements from their constituents?
They are elected by the people and supposedly for the people, so THE PEOPLE have every right to know what they are up to. They have turned that place into a den of liars, cheats and thieves.
Washington runs on rumors, but secrecy is what keeps them alive. If Congress wants to end speculation about a taxpayer-funded sexual harassment “slush fund,” the solution is simple: open the books. The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights has the records, and the public has the right to know how many settlements involved elected officials. Transparency protects everyone—victims, taxpayers, and even the accused. If Senator John Cornyn has nothing to hide, disclosure would shut down the rumor mill overnight. Until Congress lifts the curtain, speculation will fill the vacuum. Accountability begins with sunlight, not secrecy.
Ken Paxton’s extramarital affair a few years back feature often in Cornyn’s ads. A revelation that Cornyn has been credibly accused of sexual misconduct would be doubly bad for Cornyn-first for the conduct itself-second for the hypocrisy in attack ads.
Another brilliant essay. However, this point:
“This suggestion should not be understood as an accusation. It is the opposite. It is an opportunity for exoneration.” Except it’s never an exoneration for the ones for whom facts don’t matter for whatever reason. Prime example: Donald Trump was referred to as a convicted rapist notwithstanding his exoneration in the NY case.
That does not mean I don’t believe disclosure would be preferable to concealment.