On Friday (July 25, 2014), during a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, House democrat, Eleanor Holmes Norton spoke out with a surprising statement.
She stated that we don’t have a right to know things about our government. In fact she states that why there is a separation of powers in the Constitution.
I think I’m going to disagree here with her. The separation of powers is so one portion of the government cannot be all powerful, and to help prevent one ruler like a king, or dictator. The question that should be asked is how can it be determined if one part of the government is abusing its powers if they do not have a right to know?
Pushing this line of thinking can push a government towards a dictator. Not right away, but the slow eroding of power, bypassing government, and abuse of the government on its people.
It is a sure bet, if the roles were reversed, and the US was still under the Bush administration, Norton would not be claiming that we don’t have a right to know. She would be screaming that Congress has the right to know. Funny how a change in administration changes one’s perspective.