Why We, the people, Started a Watchdog Group!

Voting may determine who heads a government and its agencies, but it will not necessarily ensure that the operations of that government or its agencies are honest, open, and accountable to the citizens.   Government accountability is hindered by secrecy, helped by exposure to the public view. New forms of citizen action can assure that local governments are accountable to their citizens on more than Election Day. Political corruption and its costs, Whether because there has been an increase in political corruption or because there has been a decrease in willingness to tolerate political corruption .. indictments and convictions of office holders have proliferated in recent years. Political corruption is not a victimless crime All residents of an area whose government is corrupt suffer as a result of that corruption, either in higher taxes or in lower service levels. • In addition to fiscal costs, political corruption incurs social costs: alienation, resentment, and loss of confidence in public institutions and public efforts. • Political parties have also suffered a loss of power as a result of the loss of public confidence. The citizen watchdog group as a remedy. the League of Women Voters), but new types of citizen reform efforts have been developed, such as Common Cause on the national level. ' • State legislatures have begun to respond to citizen reform efforts with laws aimed at making clear the affiliation of lobbyist putting limitations on campaign contributions, and other measures aimed at maintaining ethical standards. • No single individual can be fully informed! of the Federal; state; and local political act.~Association of Chicago is an example.

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