Just as most people would be upset if the government wanted to know how much you called your mother and what you talked about, they should be upset about this, too.

We've caught a little bit of flack for that because people within the government aren't necessarily that crazy about bringing in people from the outside. But we have to face the reality that the challenges we have are very complex, and we have to have a core level of skills ... so we can manage this with some level of success. And that's going to require us asking for help.

People in and out of government tend to forget that government exists solely to do the bidding of the citizens, and the only way the citizens can make sure their wishes are being abided by is if they are allowed to do so through open meetings and records. Sunshine Week is simply a means of reminding us all of that fundamental premise.

When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.

Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants. Men have a right that these wants should be provided for by this wisdom.

And having looked to Government for bread, on the very first scarcity they will turn and bite the hand that fed them.