Obama policy docs to live on Change.gov
President-elect Barack Obama's transition team announced Friday that all policy documents from official meetings with outside organizations will be made publicly available on the transition Web site on Change.gov.
The site's Your Seat at the Table page allows visitors to download PDF files of the documents, as well as leave comments about them or upload one's own materials for the transition team to review. The page is searchable by keyword.
Average Americans can use the Your Seat at the Table page to review policy documents or leave comments.
(Credit: Change.gov)"This means we're inviting the American public to take a seat at the table, and engage in a dialogue about these important issues and ideas," Dan McSwain wrote on the Change.gov blog. He called it "a bold move towards opening the doors and ensuring access to government processes."
As of Monday morning, 16 documents had been posted, including the report "Transition to Green (PDF)" from a coalition of national environmental and conservation organizations, and "U.S. PV R&D Program: A University Perspective (PDF)," prepared by the Council for Photovoltaic Research.
Hundreds of comments have been left so far, and the transition team reviews "everything that's posted on our Web site," Michael Strautmanis, director of public liaison and intergovernmental affairs, said in a video on the Change.gov blog.
Stephanie Condon is a staff writer for CNET News focused on the intersection of technology and politics. She is based in Washington, D.C. E-mail Stephanie. 
Honestly, I voted for McCain in the elections, and still don't approve on Obama's stances on a lot of issues, but seeing him open things up like this really makes me respect him!
Not sure what to think about people leaving comments, though...I like the ability to voice my opinions, but if/when I do, who really cares? With the thousands and thousands of comments that people will be leaving on a regular basis, I doubt my comment will attract much notice, much less climb the ladder up to Obama himself, not to mention change his mind about the issue.
I love the general idea of it, though...change is indeed on the way.
We need a program that gives more funds directly to consumers - like an increase in availability of food stamps, and an extension of unemployment benefits. There should also be bailouts for state government.
Right now, I am not able to make both ends meet on $1200 per month. My food stamps used to be $162. If I were able to get $95 in food stamps, I would be able to survive.
The bread and butter expenditures of the lower income groups are more stable and stabilizing than the whim purchases of the wealthy.
- by tm_anon December 8, 2008 10:30 AM PST
- Why not a bailout for those owing money in the bottom areas of society? I agree with the extensions for unemployment, but what about a raise in unemployment as well? I've been unemployed twice, once because the business I was working for closed and once for reasons even the state was laughing at during the appeal my former employer made to stop me from getting any unemployment at all. I'm currently living off of $124 a week because that's what was determined I should live off of. My former job paid $8/hr. A raise in my unemployment would mean I could afford to pay at least a few of my bills without having to get money from everyone I know while I look for one of the few jobs available in my town. I mentioned this when I went in to the unemployment office and the only response I recieved was along the lines of this being incentive for me to find a job more quickly.
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- by Dalkorian December 8, 2008 12:34 PM PST
- Why does reading your comment remind me of a saying I once heard ...
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(5 Comments)"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance!"
It's not the responsibility of the American public to support you just because you can't hold an $8/hour job.