In a recent discussion about the realism of television shows depicting their respective professions, a hospital intern stated that the sitcom “Scrubs” was more representative of her experience in the ER than the drama “ER.” Similarly, a former congressional staffer expressed a preference for the cartoon “I’m Just a Bill” from Schoolhouse Rock! over the TV show “House of Cards” when it comes to depicting life on Capitol Hill.
The staffer explained that Congress operates largely behind closed doors, with most member discussions happening in private. Similarly, discussions in the Colorado General Assembly can be private under updated open meetings laws, which sparked frustration among public interest groups and the press.
The law passed with Democratic members voting in favor and Republicans likely voting against it due to political motivations. Critics argue that the public is being denied the opportunity to see how policies are being formulated behind closed doors.
The columnist, Krista L. Kafer, defends the need for productive lawmaking without the distraction of public meetings. She argues that effective representative democracy requires giving legislators the ability to work together on legislation in private. In her view, prohibiting private discussions would hinder the legislative process.
Kafer advocates for a balance between the public’s right to know and the need for lawmakers to effectively do their job. She criticizes populist schemes like term limits and ballot initiatives, which she believes obstruct representative democracy. She concludes that the new open meetings law strikes an appropriate balance and should not be repealed.
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