By engaging in a review of more current literature (especially grassroots efforts), it would be possible to engage in longitudinal research of what has transpired since 2004 and 2005. The author should argue for new ways to facilitate direct citizen involvement, because this is necessary to make sure FACA works and stays responsive. For this reason, direct grassroots citizen involvement efforts (especially using social media and the Internet) need to be examined to see how they are dealing with the issue of FACA problems. For instance, the Penn State Law Study advocates more use of the Internet to increase the participation of the lower ranking public stakeholders (Coglianese, Kilmartin & Mendelson, 2008, vi).
The Revolving Door
This leads of course directly to the Revolving Door phenomenon." Obviously, FACA is not the only possible venue that is available to deal with the problem of the revolving door. As mentioned in Barlyn, several states have their own Revolving Door prohibitions on former officeholders or government employees, or in lobbying activity restrictions for those engaged now or recently in public office (Barlyn, 2011). Such measures at the state and federal level have not been effective. Again, as mentioned above, the only way that laws and executive orders get followed is to have public pressure relentlessly placed upon politicians from the public below them. This is where theory will have to be engaged in enabling the stakeholders to become more involved in the process.
Until such a formulation is found, the grim prophecy of V.O. Key may be true that the United States may become more like...
Moynihan and Ingraham are more positive though that the emphasis in America upon accountability will have a more positive outcome. As they state "elected officials ultimately have an interest in ensuring that preferred policies" (Moynihan & Ingraham, 2010, S235). Politicians ultimately will lose if they become too far from their popular political base. While there may be corruption, it can only go so far as long it becomes part of the election political battlefield. This is the ultimate method of actuating the political stakeholders who are at the bottom of the rungs of the political ladder. Unfortunately, it will be hard to make the issue go away. It was one that Woodrow Wilson attempted to deal with in his New Freedom when noted the need for the public to take back government from those who had "captured it" (Wilson, 1916, 213).
References
Barlyn, S. (2011, April). Finra to propose revolving door policy. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110413-705550.html.
Coglianese, C., Kilmartin, H., & Mendelson, E. (2008). Transparency and public participation in the rulemaking process . Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Law School
Moynihan, D.P., & Ingraham, P.W. (2010). The suspect handmaiden: The evolution of politics and administration in the american state. Public Administration Review, S229-S237
Wilson, W. (1916). The new freedom: a call for the emancipation of the generous energies of a people.
New York, NY: William Bayard Hale.
