I have a suggestion which might clear up so much of the corruption and mudslinging that politicians trade in.  It might remove so much of the scandal and distortions, the media wallows in, and which so much of our politics is based on and get us back to the issues which NEED a better airing.

Make then meet the same requirements we make our troops when they join. A simple back ground investigation, each time they run for office including state offices.

All files and secrets open NO off limits areas at all. Make them prove they are as fit to serve this country as we make the people who volunteer for duty on the front lines.

If you want to hold national office you need to meet the requirements that every E-5 sergeant in the Army needs to meet to hold that rank, a background investigation to obtain a secret clearance.


One difference I would stipulate is that unlike the US military which refuses people who have too much baggage in their background .... (OK before Bush broke the military), the candidate gets to continue their campaign.

However with the knowledge all their background info is PUBLISHED on their website with no opportunity for editing by campaign officials.  If the voting public wants that candidate they can have them, but no amount of media gotcha during the campaign or after the fact.

It just might take the real crooks like the Abramoff gang, Cunningham group and people like Mark Foley, Tom Delay, Bob Ney, William Jefferson, out of office.

BTW,  yes even Bill Clinton and now John Edwards would have had their personal secrets out in the open before they get to try to lie about it during a campaign.

However think about it, how far would have Newt Gingrich have gotten if he had to have been this open?

Could George W Bush have withstood scrutiny like this in 2000, especially his inability to hide his military records?

Could more members of the Washington culture of corruption of the last decade have been able to stay as long as they have if they couldn’t hide their secrets?

Because really if you aren't reliable enough to become a Buck Sergeant in the military, how are you reliable enough to hold office?