Citizens for Open Government

An open government is necessary to guarantee the rights of a free people. To promote openness in government, this petition calls for the Federal Government to make available through an open Citizens Web Site (CWS) the following information:

The full text of all bills filed before the United States House and Senate, and all amendments and attachments added, shall be posted on the CWS no less than ninety days prior to any voting, including committee votes. If the legislation includes increases in taxes or results in increased costs to taxpayers, the full text shall be posted 120 days prior to any voting.

All committee votes cast shall be posted the same day in CWS, showing the vote of each person.

The final votes cast by each Congressman and Senator shall be posted on the CWS for every piece of legislation, immediately upon voting.

The current mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address for all elected and appointed Federal officials and their principal assistants, shall be posted on the CWS. All elected and appointed Federal officials shall keep an open access to citizens who wish to communicate with them.

Photographs of all elected and appointed Federal officials, together with all income, gifts received or promised for themselves and immediate family members, and the source of each, shall be posted on CWS and currently maintained.

All travel expenses to be paid by a government entity for any Federal office holder shall be included on the CWS as spent, and the destination(s), dates and method of travel and reason for the travel shall be disclosed.

Executive orders to be issued by the Executive branch of government shall be posted on CWS sixty days before ordered.

The CWS website shall provide a means for citizens to express their approval or disapproval of any action to be taken, by registering their name and residential address. The total number of citizens for and/or against such action shall be posted on the CWS.

The Federal Government shall maintain the CWS and make it available twenty-four hours a day, adequate to serve all citizens who wish to access it. The Federal Government shall make no attempt to manipulate the information to be included on the CWS, or to misrepresent the expressions of citizens using CWS. Non-citizens may access CWS only in inquiry, but may not post their private expressions.