Kirsten Gillibrand Spreading Sunshine on Congress

[BurtWorm]

From Down with Tyranny:

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2006/12/quote-of-day-were-not-surprised-that.html

...

As we all know, Kirsten indeed went on to unseat the "rubber-stamp nitwit" Sweeney in November. And so far, she gives every evidence of taking her congressional responsibilities, well, seriously. Now, it appears, she's even leading a revolution:

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The New York Times
December 14, 2006
Editorial

Congress and the Benefits of Sunshine

At first, the innovation sounds simple enough: Representative-elect Kirsten Gillibrand has decided to post details of her work calendar on the Internet at the end of each day so constituents can tell what she is actually doing for their money.

In fact, it is a quiet touch of revolution. The level of transparency pledged by Ms. Gillibrand, Democrat of New York--down to naming lobbyists and fund-raisers among those she might meet with--is simply unheard of in Congress. The secrecy that cloaks the dealings of lawmakers and deep-pocket special interests underpinned the corruption issue that Ms. Gillibrand invoked as voters turned Republicans from majority rule last month....

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If you're wondering where Representative-elect Gillibrand is getting these wild ideas, check out the Sunlight Foundation's website, where a short list of three proposals "achievable in the short term" is set out:

We have a long list of ideas we'd like to see Congress pursue along these lines: proposals like publishing their official calendar would be at the top of that list, so too would be applying FOIA to Congress. But we are realistic in what we think can be achieved at this point in time and so we have identified three specific priorities for the incoming Congress. They would all create meaningful change, and we believe they are achievable in the short term.

[Doctor_J]

1. I hope the media will latch on to this. If there were a GOPer this

fresh, revolutionary, and telegenic, she'd be on every news show.

I won't hold my breath though.

[sharp_stick]

2. Good for her

I'd love to see more of the freshmen start with this. The key is keeping it up, people have to check on it regularly or they won't keep posting the details.

[valerief]

3. Wow! Great idea. Too bad McCain will ban her blog. nt

[BurtWorm]

4. kick