View from K Street: Data dumped, darkness descends

“It is in the interest of tyrants to reduce the people to ignorance.”—Samuel Adams 

In its glory days (not so long ago!), the Washington Post’s motto was “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” We’re getting a shocking lesson in what this means, as the government stops collecting vital data and ceases publishing the data it has. 

Readers are likely aware of the end to the obligation to collect and submit workplace demographic data. First, an Executive Order eliminated the requirement on federal contractors to submit a broad swath of data for purposes of a federal audit. The information included data from recruiting to termination and was designed to permit the government to be sure federal contractors weren’t using public funds in ways that discriminated against protected groups. In addition to ending audits, it was clearly hinted that although the collection of data was not, per se, a violation, it was suspicious—why would an employer want demographics except to advance malicious DEI?—and subject to oversight, public shaming, and possible prosecution.