u/breck

I was raised (brainwashed?) to believe the US is a people that strives to have a different kind of government, not based on power but on principles.

That it's really striving to be a "government of the people, by the people, for the people", and not just a government of the rich, by the rich, for the rich.

So it bothers me not that no one bats an eye at the concept of classified information, and that conversely, often people take it as a badge of honor that they have a "security clearance".

I cannot think of a sound argument for why a 'government of the people, by the people, for the people' (GOTPBTPFTP), should have a policy of keeping secrets from the people.

If the true guiding vision of our country is to be a GOTRBTRFTR, then classified information is fine (if you are rich, you can discreetly funnel money to politicians and bureacrats for the information you want.

But if the true goal is GOTPBTPFTP, then it seems we should get rid of that concept.

If it would mean that we would then be at a disadvantage to other nations that kept that practice, then we should go to cold war against these nations until we can abolish it worldwide.

Let's take the extreme example, that perhaps a government program was able to communicate with extraterrestial life, then that especially should not be classified, as it would give those with knowledge of that extreme power over the people. And then if that type of thing is not classified, then it would seem silly to classify far less important things.

I understand that the process of abolishing the concept might be a turbulent period of war and death, but I think in the long run it would be worth it, and is necessary if we are truly trying to be a GOTPBTPFTP.