Sunlight helps democracy grow

e-mail this story discuss this issue in our forums Guest column • Henry McMaster: Checks, balances yield great results for state (03/14/05) • : Changing seasons reflected in landscape of children (03/13/05) • Rep. David H. Wilkins: Sunlight helps democracy grow (03/13/05) • David Shi: Townes remains true believer in science and religion (03/13/05) • Mike Campbell: Let's continue the process of restructuring state government (03/11/05) More details Rep. David Wilkins of Greenville is speaker of the S.C. House of Representatives.

It was a compelling reminder that freedom is a precious gift — one like all things held sacred — that must be safeguarded and preserved.

We can all pray that the freshly planted seeds of democracy in Iraq will take root and grow ever stronger through the ages.

And we here in America must continue to set the example that with freedom comes responsibility.

As speaker of the South Carolina House, my most important responsibility is to help make sure that state government does a few things well — and then gets out of the way — so the private sector can grow the economy and create jobs and opportunity.

Part of running an efficient, effective government is exposing it to constant sunlight. That's why for years many of us sponsored — and the House passed — campaign finance reform.

The House was also responsible for reforming the Commerce Department, making this critical state agency far more responsible with taxpayer money.

Throughout my tenure in the state House, we have also pushed for what became one of the toughest ethics acts in the country and easier access to state government for the press through our Freedom of Information laws.

The fundamental bedrock of a free government is a responsible one — where there are many checks and balances and the most significant power rests not with government bureaucrats or elected leaders but with the citizens themselves.

A free press helps empower our citizens with information and knowledge. We must diligently work together to continue to protect the media's access to the workings of our government.

On battlefields across our globe, blood continues to be shed for this sacred right Americans have long enjoyed.

In honor of all those who still seek freedom and those brave Americans who have died in freedom's name, may all of us continue to commit to an open government that derives its power from the people it serves.