Governments by Open Records: The original purpose of transparency through Open Meetings and Public Records and LEA salary disclosures is that these laws applied to the governments which made the rules and controlled the public’s money– the governments, whether state (the legislature and executive branch and DPI), county, or city. These entities needed transparency in their operations so the public could see what was going on between elections and adjust their votes accordingly. The people in the voting booths were the only check or balance on these government entities. Oversight of government rests with an informed public who elects the government, and who have no choices, otherwise.

Corporations by Contracts: The need for transparency as it may apply to private corporations is quite different. The government has the discretion to make contracts or award grants to private corporations to accomplish certain ends. The government retains the right, through its contracts or grants to terminate the contract or cancel the grant if the ends envisioned are not being achieved. The need for transparency is superfluous because the government can cancel the grant or contract if the resulting performance does not meet the specifications. The public does not vote on the contractor, vendor, or supplier. Oversight of contracts and grants rests with the government which issues these contracts and grants and which has many choices for promoting its ends.

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