Last month first-term Gov. Mark Sanford sent the wrong message to South Carolina public officials by closing his Cabinet meeting. Wednesday he sent a different message, one that says open government is OK and can work.

Democracy demands that citizens know how their elected officials conduct their business. Citizens can't decide whether their government made the right decision without knowing which options were eliminated.

The governor has many worthwhile ideas about the operation of government. He displayed some of those ideas Wednesday, along with showmanship. He brandished Wal-Mart signs and declared that state government must do a better job of marketing its good points. "When you think of state government, do you think value? Do you think lowest possible price?" Sanford asked. Probably not, and that means the culture of government needs to change in South Carolina, according to The Associated Press.

Other hot topics at the meeting included budget issues and trimming overhead at state agencies.

Insurance Department Director Ernst Csiszar, the only Cabinet member appointed by former Gov. Jim Hodges and retained by Sanford, received kudos of the day for trimming his agency from 120 employees to 91, including elimination of four deputy positions, and cutting the budget by $2.3 million to $4.4 million.

South Carolina's new governor campaigned on a platform promoting "sunshine" in government. We hope he honors the pledge throughout his tenure.

Leadership does start at the top. The hope is that the governor's example will show other elected and appointed officials that slamming the door in the face of the public isn't good government.

The cacophony of clashing ideas may seem like fighting to most, but it is the sound of democracy in action. It is the foundation upon which this country is built.