Transparency and Reform are Deserved by All

John McCain has made much of his reputation as a maverick reformer,often needing to stand alone in order to fight for reforms in Washington. His efforts aroused opposition from both fellow Republicans and Democrats sitting across the aisle.

More recently, a younger generation of his fellow Republicans has not only claimed the mantle of reformers; they have made an impact in places where efforts to clean up politics had been considered hopeless.

In Louisiana, Gov. Bobby Jindal has taken on the state's reputation as one of the most poorly governed. Before Katrina, state officials were indicted for their inability to account for $60 million in FEMA disaster preparation funds. Since his election as a reformer, Jindal has pushed for ethics and transparency legislation to make sure government dollars go to serving the public, rather than lining the pockets of insiders.

Thanks in large part to Jindal, New Orleans and Louisiana worked together to move people from New Orleans to safe locations around the South. Instead of questioning state and city disaster plans, official implemented them, reducing the burden on first responders left behind in the city. While we will in coming weeks learn more about what did and didn't work, it is clear that a more transparent Louisiana state government has done a better job of preparing for the storm and protecting of the lives of its people.

As a state commission member, Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin made an impact in Alaska blowing the whistle on fellow Republicans for shaping a state trade deal in which they had a financial stake. As a result, the state's attorney general had to step down. Palin's agenda for ethics and government reform has been the key to her agenda since taking office as governor. (Her lieutenant governor is currently awaiting the count of absentee ballots in a too-close-to-call primary against Congressman Don Young, who sponsored the earmark for the "bridge to nowhere.")

The vote by which Michael Nutter was elected mayor in Philadelphia showed voters here also realize the need for reforming local politics and increasing government transparency. Unfortunately, the effort has run aground on the opposition of City Council members and the mayor's apparent flagging interest in fighting for necessary changes to the city's governing institutions.

The success of young reformers like Jindal and Palin has shown that a new generation of leaders understands why voters became so frustrated with the Bush administration and members of Congress from both parties. The Republican Party's electoral meltdown in 2006 has opened the door for these young reformers to gain influence in the GOP in a way their counterparts have not among Democrats.

The goal for Republicans – in Philadelphia as well as at the state and national level – must be not only to win elections, but to win them for a purpose. Campaigning – and governing – as standard bearers for reform is the key not only to restoring public confidence in the political system but also to improve schools, make streets safer and maintain a competitive economy that creates opportunities for families and businesses to grow and thrive.

The goal for Democrats should be to develop a similar constituency for open government on their side. And while Democrats and Republicans may have good-faith disagreements on many government policies, a bipartisan reform movement would yield benefits for citizens of all political stripes.

Philadelphians deserve transparent, effective and accountable government just as much as people living in Alaska or Louisiana. All we have to do is stop voting for insiders who take care of each other instead of putting the public first.