While Social Security has never been a terribly secretive agency (except when it comes to Social Security claimant records), it is my impression that, like the rest of the executive branch, it did become more secretive during the Bush Administration. This is likely to change in the Obama Administration. From the Associated Press:
In an attempt to deliver on pledges of a transparent government, Obama said he would change the way the federal government interprets the Freedom of Information Act. He said he was directing agencies that vet requests for information to err on the side of making information public — not to look for reasons to legally withhold it — an alteration to the traditional standard of evaluation.
Just because a government agency has the legal power to keep information private does not mean that it should, Obama said.
Never been terribly secretive???
ReplyDeleteThey stamp half of the policy stuff sent out to employees as sensitive just so it isn't subject to release to the general public.
Let see how many sensitive EMs go up on Policy Net from now on.
ReplyDeleteThis probably like those whistle blower protection e-mails they send out telling you about all your rights and protections and then if you open you mouth you get about 40 knives in your back and get thrown under the bus.