Olathe , KS - Patricia Lightner, Republican candidate for Congress in the 3rd District of Kansas, issued the following statement regarding the decision by President Obama and the Democratic Leadership to finalize the health care bill behind closed doors.

"The American people should be extremely upset at the blatant disregard for the principle of open government. As a former State Representative, I believe if you're too afraid to show the public what idea you're proposing, then it's probably a bad idea in the first place.

"President Obama repeatedly pledged to televise the health care negotiations on C-Span, even criticizing past administrations for not doing the same. Speaker Pelosi has claimed she leads the most open and ethical Congress ever. So my reaction is simple: let the sunshine in.

"The problem for the Democrats, of course, is that doing so will shine the light of day on their tax increases, unconstitutional mandates on individuals, the lack of real reforms such as tort reform and health care savings accounts, and the overall giant leap towards government control of health care and 1/6 of the U.S. economy, which is their ultimate goal.

"I call upon President Obama and the Democratic Leadership to air their negotiations on C-Span. It's time for our leaders to put their faith in the American people - after all, it's their health care."