Sometimes, in our efforts to be harmonious and trusting, we tend to become a little gullible.

Many who grew up in good families and solid backgrounds tend to want to trust people and desire to avoid confrontation and embarrassment.

Because of that, we sometimes want to assume that government dollars are being put to use effectively, and that we have no need to investigate.

But unfortunately, corruption does exist. And if we don’t have to worry about corruption, there’s laziness or merely poor stewardship — both in the private and public sector.

Waste in the public sector is generally a bigger concern to us as a whole, not because government is inherently evil while businesses are inherently good, but because the government affects all of us.

If we look at history, it’s government that has started wars, squelched people’s rights and stifled public opinion.

I’m not saying that we should sensationalize the news, and make government the epitome of evil.

I’m just saying we shouldn’t be gullible, and believe every government representative who assures us that our money is being spent wisely.

That’s why citizens should be on board in supporting a government transparency bill that would require government agencies to post financial transactions online. The state comptroller general’s office already has a page on its Web site, https://ssl.sc.gov/SpendingTransparency/BudgetTransparencyMain.aspx, where the financial transactions of state agencies are posted.

One of the main concerns regarding this bill is: who’s going to pay for posting this information, and where can governments get the manpower?

The answer is simple, says Ashley Landess, president of the S.C. Policy Council: government agencies are already required to obtain and keep this information. All they need to do now is send the financial transactions to the comptroller general’s office — hardly an expensive task.

Of course, we’ll still have opposition. We’ll still have agencies that will send the bare minimum, providing as little information as possible.

There are some details that still need to be worked out. Some have criticized the program, saying the Web site isn’t specific enough. That criticism is probably legitimate, but let’s not be so overzealous in our desire for perfection that we criticize legislators such as Sen. Bryant — who have actually worked hard to bring accountability.

If we are to criticize anyone, we should criticize those who never came up with a plan in the first place.

So for now, we have a good start. Now let’s improve what we have, and offer more details about every financial transaction later.