Today’s Q section of the News and Observer has a wonderful section on how to hold your governments accountable. This week is National Sunshine Week, a week focusing on freedom of information and open records. The N&O details how to request public records from federal, state, and local governments and details on public meetings laws.

Here are tools that not only traditional media like television and newspapers can use, but bloggers as well. Find out how your tax dollars are being spent! Keep our leaders honest! Make sure the government that serves you is doing your bidding and not its own. Democracy depends on the people keeping a close eye on those in power.

(Ironically, the N&Os section celebrating open records is itself locked behind a Register Wall. Thank goodness for Bug Me Not.)