GlassHouse » Ethics Reform http://www.ruthmunson.com/blog A chronicle about transparent government, new media, empowered voters, a little bit of politics, and the personal side of my run for the Illinois House of Representatives by Ruth Munson. Sun, 15 May 2011 00:49:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 What if the Illinois statehouse were made of glass? http://www.ruthmunson.com/blog/2010/01/what-if-the-illinois-statehouse-were-made-of-glass/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-if-the-illinois-statehouse-were-made-of-glass http://www.ruthmunson.com/blog/2010/01/what-if-the-illinois-statehouse-were-made-of-glass/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:29:46 +0000 Ruth Munson http://www.ruthmunson.com.php5-5.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/blog/?p=3

The Illinois State Capitol Dome image titled Capitol bulding (sp) dome (www.flickr.com/photos/mklingo/166435302/) was created by Max Kingensmith (www.flickr.com/people/mklingo/) and is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-No derivative Works 2.0 Generic License. (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/deed.en)

Serving in politics is a bit like living in a glass house. As a politician, your every move is scrutinized and your well-meaning motives are often questioned. I know. Four years on the Elgin City Council, followed by six years in the Illinois House of Representatives, has made my life an open book. The time served also clarified for me why it is important for government to be transparent. After all, it’s not easy keeping secrets while living in a glass house.
 
But, a glass house is not where Illinois government resides. Backroom deals, pay-for-play, and prison terms for governors have been the norm for far too long. Ethics reform has fallen short and the call for greater accountability is getting louder.
 
There is much more that needs to be revealed so that the public can hold its elected officials accountable. A strong and impartial fourth estate, media, is part of the solution. Gov 2.0 is another part. More voter participation is also a vital component.
 
We also need candidates who are not afraid of transparency, who will stand up for what is right for their constituency, and who are willing to put themselves on the line for the benefit of their community.
 
It is the “putting oneself on the line” that gives many prospective candidates pause. But it’s more than just the public scrutiny that turns them off to the idea; it’s the negative campaigns that they really fear. Negative campaigning has had its intended effect, scaring off qualified candidates who might otherwise challenge the status quo. Political courage is great, but when your friends, family and co-workers are subjected to truth-twisting it would give even the bravest individual a reason to have second thoughts.
 
I admit the simple threat of going negative can be intimidating. It certainly was a factor when making my decision to run again for the House of Representatives. Did I want to put my family through another grueling campaign? It was hard for my husband and children to see me get hit with negative campaign pieces but after family discussions our answer was an overwhelming – yes! Yes, because the passion to serve outweighed any potential negative consequences and we just wouldn’t buckle under to this threat.
 
So, I’m moving back into the glass house and turning on the lights by chronicling my run for the Illinois House of Representatives. I hope in doing so that I might in some small way help others make the decision to take the political plunge and challenge what’s not working in their community. Win or lose there is merit in trying. Because in trying you provide voters with a choice – not a foregone conclusion. In trying you raise the bar and force a debate on the issues. In trying you keep democracy alive and turn status quo on its head.

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