Written by: Steven Thompson, editor
Freedom From The Press
February 7, 2010

2009 was a very interesting year for America and all members of Congress. Special interests ridden business as usual politics in our nations capitol was going to be confronted by a new democratic administration that promised “change we could believe in.” By summertime, populist groups were starting to germinate and taking root all across America. Change wasn’t happening as promised in Washington and the discontent worked to fertilize groups like Campaign for Liberty and the Tea Party’s. Progressive elation from the 2008 election began to sour as one campaign promise after another was ignored.

As reported in this article from New Hampshire Sunday News, Aug. 30, 2009

Anger and hostility caught up with U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter yesterday at health care forums in Manchester and Portsmouth.

Participants at times shouted over one another and at Shea-Porter, who pleaded for civility while saying reform is inevitable. “We can’t continue on this path. If we do nothing right now, costs will continue to skyrocket,” she said.

Shea-Porter was challenged on tort reform, campaign fund-raising, Medicare, and whether the forum was a political event.

Shea-Porter later said the forums were held in federal buildings because several constituents saw what went on around the country and asked if they would be safe. “That was enough for us to say, ‘This is a good idea,’ everyone can feel safe and secure,” she said.

The telling part of this article is how U.S. Congresswoman Shea-Porter felt compelled to hold local public town hall meetings within the confines of two highly secure federal buildings within her district.

Congresswoman Shea-Porter is correct when she say’s the spiraling cost of health care must be addressed. How Congress has chosen to debate and deal with this issue is the real problem that has only fueled the growing distrust and discontent in America.

Has the disconnect between members of Congress, K-Street lobbyists and the public they both routinely scam (that’s you and me folks) grown so wide that our elected leadership feels the need to hide from public debate and discourse?

I say, Congress, you cannot hide, you cannot run from or avoid the people you’re elected to serve. If we come out in large numbers questioning your stance on issues that impact all of your constituents you’re required to listen. If our views and opinions are incorrect then it’s your duty to keep us properly educated and informed.

Transparency begins with full disclosure. Back room deals between congressional leaders and special interests are what’s fueled the peoples discontent. “We The People” cannot prevent members of Congress from meeting with well financed lobbyists who support their own narrow agenda. That said, we can begin the process of holding our members of Congress 100% accountable for how they perform the peoples business.

Members of Campaign for Liberty, Tea Party’s, Independent (populist) Political Organizations and Progressive Political Organizations should be demanding major government reforms that include this plank:

All Members of Congress should be required to cast all final votes on all legislation from a public place within their home district.

In 2010, we have secure technology to make what was impossible at the time of Americas last Constitutional Convention a reality. This plank could become standard protocol if members of Congress fully supported public disclosure and government transparency.

“We The People” know the truth. Today’s Congress doesn’t want full disclosure or transparency, if they truly did we’d already have it.

Today’s Congress feeds off back room deal making which in return provides members of Congress with the necessary funding to feed the media in order to win their respective positions in a corrupted government.

This reality provides the fuel behind the current populist movement sweeping across America. I can only hope that the people will rise above the well financed, special interests backed, 2010 candidates by showing their support and votes for people who believe and advocate for real change and American democracy.