California is the only state to hide its spending – nearly $300B a year

Re:California is the only state to hide its spending – nearl... by jedberg on Sunday December 12, 2021 @12:48PM (#29531733)

Their motives might be suspect, but their goals are admirable. There is no reason every state payment shouldn’t be public.

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Re:California is the only state to hide its spending – nearl... by specialist on Sunday December 12, 2021 @10:37PM (#29536342)

Pick your allies carefully.

I flirted with a transparency org. Washington Citizens for Open Government.

The libertarian minded (Discovery Institute, Toby Nixon, Paul Guppy, so many others) used these nonpartisan good govt orgs to advocate their religion. It was maddening.

For instance, simultaneously advocating transparency AND privatization, without irony. Corporations are not subject to public records requests. Many an agency outsourced work to keep the activities away from public scrutiny. Anyone with a sincere desire for good govt advocates for less outsourcing, less privatization.

By all means, advocate for better stuff. Just know the opponents of democratic civil society will always highjack, subvert, project, argue in bad faith. The paradox of tolerance, on endless repeat.

I have no ideas how to avoid that trap. A large part of my burn out as an activist.

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Re:California is the only state to hide its spending – nearl... by splistud on Monday December 13, 2021 @12:40PM (#29541992)

"Anyone with a sincere desire for good govt advocates for less outsourcing, less privatization."

"Just know the opponents of democratic civil society will always highjack, subvert, project, argue in bad faith."

The only bad faith displayed here is yours.

[ Parent | on HN ]