Why is it that the only parts of the health care debate on C-SPAN are the parts that happen on the floors of the House or Senate or a at few hearings when C-SPAN is allowed in?

President Obama called in his campaign speeches last year for the all of the debate to be on C-SPAN. The committees that draft the legislation, however, have avoided the cable-TV network, to the frustration of many interested Americans.

Obama, as president, could urge Senate and House leaders to follow his campaign promise, but he has not. And the Democrats who lead the Senate and House haven’t been keen on putting the committee debates — the final, most important debates especially — on C-SPAN, despite requests from C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb.

This newspaper adds its voice to the calls by many newspapers across the nation for greater transparency in the creation of the health care legislation.

Many bad deals already have been cut, such as the wild concessions given to Nebraska in exchange for a single senator’s vote. Having the proceedings on TV might make leaders reconsider such practices.

Like the Houston Chronicle said, “This is not simply making good on a campaign promise by President Barack Obama; it is the right thing to do.”