Be a Records Requester
Requesting government records is a great way for anyone to get comfortable with the basics of interacting effectively via paperwork. This will help you to be:
- organized enough to track what is going to happen
- able to figure out which public official to approach
- able to translate your questions into descriptions of specific documents
- clear and succinct in communicating what you want
- confident and unashamed, as master of your servants
- ready to address misconduct
ifwhen you find it - more prepared for other kinds of written requests
You cannot expect to get documents upon demand from just anywhere; this only works for requesting records from governmental bodies. Your local hardware store and restaurant might have some records you would be interested in seeing, but those are not your records; they can just say "no". According to the law, there are very few exceptions to the prohibition of governmental bodies keeping secrets from the people. Private companies are under no such obligation; they don't even have to answer you at all.
Create your first "Rec Req"
Decide what records you are interested in having access to.
Learn to communicate in terms of records
Perhaps you are tired of the potholes on a certain road, where you frequently travel. Perhaps you are curious why another county road nobody ever uses is getting so much improvement attention, while the one you think needs repairs is being neglected. One of your county commissioners may be one of the few people who lives along the stretch of road that is being improved, and you heard that the person running the road construction crew is someone with the same last name. Perhaps you smell a rat... but those questions in your mind are unsuitable for a records request. If you were to approach every single one of your public officials with such questions and concerns, nobody would have a good answer for you.
However, if you can think for a moment first, and translate that question in your mind so that it can be expressed simply, in terms of which documents you want to look at, then your efforts will be much more fruitful.
You aren't asking for a conclusion to be spoon-fed to you; instead, you are asking for the records which will allow you to see the evidence for yourself, and draw your own conclusions.
Perhaps you don't have any particular problems and don't suspect anyone of abusing their office but you wouldn't mind discovering politics and corruption if it's there.
Perhaps you would like to begin with a question that is less likely to uncover fraud, waste and abuse.