BAILOUT POGO!

Ok, not really.  But if you think it's important that we're urging careful oversight of the TARP to prevent taxpayers from getting ripped off, including making sure that there's an Inspector General to oversee the process ASAP, or if you're desperate to see real whistleblower protections (we're looking at you, Axel, though in all seriousness we know of many people that really need(ed) this), or if you're concerned about the safety of our nuclear weapons, or if you're sick of seeing wasteful defense spending that doesn't improve our national security, or if you just want the Department of the Interior to FINALLY collect the royalties owed to taxpayers for drilling for gas and oil on federal lands, please donate to POGO.

But maybe you don't care about any of those issues.  Maybe what you want is Inspector General reforms that restore them to being the junkyard dogs for taxpayers they were intended to be, or you think that real contracting oversight--including considerations of contractor responsibility when awarding contracts--needs to happen, or you would just be happy if the government would be more open and transparent about what they are doing on behalf of taxpayers, or you are so excited about our suggestions for the next administration that you can't wait to see POGO give Congress the what-for (or at least remind them about how to best use their oversight powers)--then you should donate.

Whew, we do a lot, don't we?  We count on donations from readers like you to continue to cover all of these issues well, and it is through these donations that we are able to maintain our independence by refusing funds from government, unions, corporate interests, or anyone else with a financial stake in our investigations.

POGO: Exposing problems, exploring solutions.  Please donate.  Don't make me resort to knock-knock jokes--because you know I probably would.

-- Mandy Smithberger

Reader Survey: How Has the FCMD Changed Your Life?

As POGO prepares to release an updated and expanded Federal Contractor Misconduct Database, we want to take this opportunity to ask our blog readers about how they've used the database since its July 2007 release.  If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd love to hear your anecdotes, comments, critiques, and other reactions.

We're particularly interested in examples of the different ways in which you've put the database to use.  Has it influenced a contracting decision made by you or someone in your office?  Has it helped you write a story, either as useful background info or as a central theme? Has it helped you with research projects, term papers, or other publications?  Have you used it to find dirt on a competitor?

Please post your reply in the comments section, or, if you'd prefer, send it to me at my POGO email address: ngordon@pogo.org.

-- Neil Gordon

Support Transparency, Accountability, and Open Government

If you've been keeping up with POGO's blog recently, you know that we've been working overtime to achieve a more transparent, accountable, and open federal government: 

• Just this week, after a judge shut down Wikilieaks, an anti-corruption website, a motion was filed on behalf of POGO challenging the lawsuit that led to the shutdown.  The judge in the case has now rescinded his earlier decision to shut the site down, and the Swiss bank that originally filed the complaint against Wikileaks has decided to drop its lawsuit altogether.
  
• POGO also made publicly available for the first time a report by the Department of Transportation Inspector General showing that a lack of oversight by the FAA and airplane manufacturers has resulted in the installation of substandard parts on both civilian and military aircraft.

We have more transparency projects in store for the weeks ahead, including a new report and database with updated information on the misconduct of the federal government's top 100 contractors.  But none of these investigations would be possible without the support of individuals like you.  Because POGO does not accept contributions from the federal government, corporations, unions, or anyone with a financial interest in the outcome of our investigations, we truly rely on the support of individuals to continue our important work.

POGO was recently awarded the highest possible rating (four stars) by Charity Navigator, the largest independent charity evaluator in the nation.  A four-star rating means that POGO, as compared to other charities in America, successfully manages its finances in an efficient and effective manner.  In other words, you can rest assured that your donation will go directly toward helping us with our investigative work.

If you care about making the federal government more transparent, accountable, and open, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to POGO today.

Donate to POGO - Make a Difference

The Project On Government Oversight is a small organization that strives to hold a very large federal government accountable to its citizens. Because POGO does not accept gifts from corporations, the government, or labor unions, donations at any level make a significant impact. In addition to foundation support, our important work is made possible through tax-deductible contributions from individual donors -- LIKE YOU.

For over 25 years, the Projec t On Government Oversight (POGO) has fought to defend the public interest against corruption and other misconduct.  We've proven that we can make a real impact on "business as usual" politics (click here to learn more about our recent accomplishments), and we will continue to work toward achieving a federal government that serves the interests of the American people.

The following are just a few examples of POGO’s plans for upcoming investigations:

• Strengthen congressional oversight by conducting monthly, bipartisan training seminars for congressional staff;
• Release an updated database on the misconduct of the government’s top 100 contractors, and publish a report with analysis and recommendations for improving taxpayer protections;
• Highlight the government’s excessive and unaccountable national security spending practices;
• Demonstrate how and why certain Inspector General offices have become weakened and politicized in recent years;
• Establish good government indicators at the state and local level by promoting a “Checklist for a Healthy Democracy;”
• Accelerate the removal of nuclear materials from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which lies in the densely populated San Francisco Bay Area; and
• Expose the government’s refusal to audit multinational companies that extract oil and other precious resources from federal and Native American lands.

POGO’s investigations and reports reach millions, appearing regularly in such outlets as NBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, and National Public Radio (click here to learn more about POGO in the news). 

In order to preserve our independence, POGO does not accept any contributions from the federal government, corporations, unions, or anyone with a financial interest in the outcome of our investigations.  Because of this, individuals--like you--are the backbone of our organization, and we need your support to continue our important work.

Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to POGO. 

Thank you in advance for your support.

Happy Holidays! Come Back in 2007!

The staff at the Project On Government Oversight wishes all of its friends, enemies and those in between the best over the holidays.  See you in 2007!

Remember the poignant words of our favorite cartoon character, Pogo, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

-- POGO