Obama Makes Early Demands of Special Interests Public

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Think back to when Dick Cheney formulated energy policy early in President Bush’s first term. Because the White House did not release the names of the people Cheney met with, nor the demands they were making of the administration, the public did not know until 2005 that Cheney had met with oil executives, and that those executives supplied Cheney with “detailed energy policy recommendations.”

The Obama Administration is determined to do things differently. It is posting the policy proposals it is receiving from special interest groups on a section of its website called “Your Seat at the Table.” What is the teacher’s union demanding on education reform, for example? Not only can you find out on the transition’s site, you can comment on the union’s proposals and submit your own ideas on the subject.

It’s another early step toward open government for the new administration and it’s something to be applauded, especially if it leaves these documents up after decisions start to get made, so watchdog groups can determine whose wishes were fulfilled and whose were not.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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