Money & Politics | Daily Report

Rebuilding Trust in Our Government (R) One of Americas statesmen stated “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” His presidency ushered in an era of disdain for government and a widespread cynicism that government could be effective in addressing our challenges. Today, as we confront a crisis that has shaken confidence in our financial system and economy, we have an opportunity to restore public trust and confidence in the legitimate role of government. Indeed, to effectively tackle our economic challenges and to implement the reforms we need in our healthcare, education, energy, and environmental policies, our government will need to garner strong public support. However, rebuilding public trust will not happen in the face of a pervasive perception that government is not transparent and accountable, cronyism is rampant, and public officials are more interested in helping themselves than in serving the public good. Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address abuses and begin to rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal government in the new legislative session. Create a Task Force on Public Integrity with a mission to develop a comprehensive proposal for ethics and lobbying reform in our city and state. Which addresses reforms in three areas: (1) strengthening enforcement of ethics, campaign finance, and lobbying laws; (2) strengthening civil and criminal penalties for abuses; and (3) improving awareness and education for public officials. Reinforce honesty, integrity and transparency by government officials as the core requirement to be and stay in office, any violations of these core tenets will cause the removal of the public official and the loss of "all benefits" retroactive. I think we should consider putting public official on a base salary plus commission based on performance. While the many of our elected officials and government employees are honest, dedicated public servants, the actions of a few create a dark cloud over all. Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address these abuses and begin to rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal government in the new legislative session. Compiled by: YJ Draiman PS We need honest government with integrity. “Good leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion” Public confidence in the integrity of the Government is indispensable to faith in democracy; and when we lose faith in the system, we have lost faith in everything we fight and spend for. As citizens of this democracy, you are the rulers and the ruled, the law-givers and the law-abiding, the beginning and the end. Change is inevitable. Change for the better is a full-time job. Action speaks louder than words.

We must take responsibility for our actions if we are to succeed “To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.” When you start realizing that you alone are responsible for your own life, then things start getting better. It might be scary at first, because now you do not have anyone else to blame. However, there is a level of freedom associated with taking responsibility for your life. “The price of greatness is responsibility.” There is some point in your life where you can no longer be persuaded by what the crowd is doing. You can no longer feel comfortable with the status quo. You have this feeling deep within you that there is more to life and that, “if it is to be, it is up to me.” That day is a very good day, because you have just learned a major secret to life. You are the creator of your own destiny and only you can make your dreams come true. “Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else.” Family, Honesty and morality are the foundation of society.