Government must be transparent

Dear Editor: I watched U.S. Sen. Richard C. Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, speak to the national news networks concerning his opposition in bailing out the Big Three automakers. He said that automakers have failed to show some innovation of ideals and accountability of records for years. I agree with such assessments, to a point.

However, when the financial meltdown hit the Citigroup and the JP MorganChase and Company, and the Secretary of Treasury announced financial assistance, Sen. Shelby was silent here. I can understand his reason of silence when voters examine the contributors to his campaigns between 2003 and 2008: the two groups, banking institutions and lobbyists, have given much money to him for support. Hypocrisy becomes the state of normalcy with politicians who hold double-talk.

What has happened to U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, [convicted of] corruption charges, can appear in the best of political leaders and subordinates of good intention. The problem is that some have not be caught yet. Transparency is needed in all governmental operations. The people's interest is to be paramount in stopping partisanship and gridlock. I hope the new administration and congressional leaders can change the way the people's business is done in Washington and other states.

Isaiah J. Ashe

Huntsville