I'd like to begin by saying that I am fully supportive of federal strides to increase government transparency. I think that it is a great idea to make the public more able to see what is going on within the federal government. There is a broad legislative effort being created in order to secure this increased accessibility. This act, more specifically the Transparency in Government Act, includes sections of the bill devoted to the transparency of government sects that include Congress, the Executive branch, and information about lobbyists. I think this is a big step in the right direction towards a more democratic nation. But, one problem I do see is the fact that this could potentially be completely overlooked by the public. We already have television networks like C-SPAN that produce 24-hour coverage of things like congressional sessions and the law making process. Save for my high-school government teacher, I have yet to meet anyone who fully takes advantage of this view into the inner-workings of the American government. What good is more government transparency if no one will take advantage of it? Transparency is a good idea if it can be promoted and pulled-off effectively.

I like President Elect Obama's innovative plan to broadcast his weekly addresses via Youtube. With his campaign relying so heavily on the internet, and the success that it has brought him, I feel like his decision to continue his affair with the web is a smart idea. At least in my age group, I know that many more people will watch his videos on Youtube than would ever sit by a radio and listen for his address. I am really impressed with Obama's willingness to embrace the internet, and more specifically Youtube. With plans to set up a White House video channel on the site to keep the public informed about recent events in Washington.

I'm very down with the fact that I will be able to listen to President Elect Obama's messages via Youtube when I actually have time to do so. The public will no longer be bound by schedules of important announcements and addresses that they could potentially miss when they are broadcasted on television or radio. Also I think the posting of these videos on Youtube is a great opportunity for feedback from the public. There is an inherent general forum involved with people commenting on Youtube videos. I believe that with the ability to directly comment on, and discuss thoughts about Obama's planned videos, Youtube might turn into the new town-hall meeting place. Based on the recently ended election season, it is already heading in that direction. The possibilities are endless for this newly recognized media outlet. People from all over the country, and globe for that matter, will be able to respond to an important address or a simple weekly update instantly. Political discussions will run rampant across the site. Exciting stuff.

Now, obviously I'm all for Obama's plans for expanding his Youtube political empire. But, I am weary about the rest of the government's ability to break into the internet's ability to create a more transparent government. I would love to watch a five minute clip of Obama talking about issues within the federal government, or watch him shoot the shit about college football, but I don't know how thrilled anyone would be about watching boring stuff about Congress. Sad but true. I think it's good that that sort of information will be at Joe Public's disposal, but I doubt the American public is politically motivated enough to fully take advantage of it.

In this last election season, America saw a huge increase in voter turn out and political awareness within it's citizens. I hope this trend continues and Americans don't fall off the bandwagon that has had a tirade through the country over the past few months. If all of these plans do go through, and Obama does set up a internet-video-based national address system, I feel as though it might prolong the life of political interest that has been a breath of fresh air for the country. I hope people do not get lazy and resort back to not giving a crap about American politics and the federal government. I'd like to think that the new measures towards transparency will work, but I am not fully convinced.