“‘We are here as public servants, and public service is a privilege,’ Obama said, addressing his White House staff and Cabinet on his first full day in office. ‘It’s not about advancing yourself or your corporate clients.'” Also part of President Obama’s very solid first day: An executive order kicking out the lobbyists and imposing a gift ban on White House employees. “‘We need to close the revolving door that lets lobbyists come into government freely and lets them use their time in public service” to promote their own interests when they leave, the president said.” [Official Order.]
And, in another welcome executive order, the new President also overturned Dubya’s secrecy rules with regards to presidential records, thus making life much easier for historians in the future. “[E]very agency and department should know that this administration stands on the side not of those who seek to withhold information, but those who seek to make it known.” (This also means Pres. Obama only has nine more left to overturn on Dubya’s worst ten.)