Let sunshine in

This week is Sunshine Week throughout the nation. No, it's not a celebration in anticipation of spring and its sunny days. It's a time to draw attention to the sunshine in government -- the principle that what our elected officials do and how our tax dollars are spent should be fully open to the public.

Newspapers and other news organizations around the country are calling attention during Sunshine Week to the many state laws requiring open meetings and open records in government at all levels. The Freedom of Information Act, which gives citizens access to documents produced by the federal government, also is being celebrated.

Letting the sun shine on government meetings and records -- as opposed to the darkness of secrecy and subversion -- is at the core of a free democracy where government is of the people, for the people and by the people. In our great land, government is not a ruling class or something that abides by a different set of rules. In the United States, we are the government, and we are entitled to know what's going on and how we are being affected by those who serve in representative governmental capacities on our behalf.

America has the most open government, from city boards to federal commissions, in the world. At times, when secrecy is regarded as an expedient alternative, that openness is eroded and rights of affected citizens are taken away.

Even though special emphasis is placed on open government during Sunshine Week, the vigilance of news organizations on behalf of the public continues day after day throughout the year.

We salute those in government who strive to keep what they are doing and their records accessible to the public. Our strength comes from knowledge, and only in full sunshine are we protected from the mold and corruption of darkness.