Let’s get this out in the open: Public records should be open records. With rare exceptions, Anderson County records should be open to everyone, including Councilwoman Cindy Wilson.

We’ve said that before in editorials. I’ll state it today individually.

If she wants to see county credit card statements, let her see them, without long delays. If she asks for monthly financial reports, give them to her.

This is the United States, where the First Amendment is synonymous with open records.

This is South Carolina, where a Freedom of Information Act gives citizens a right to look at most public documents. Hiding government records from government officials is preposterous.

So why should a councilman need to propose an open-records ordinance at a council meeting?

That’s what happened Tuesday. In a sad, strange scene, Bob Waldrep read his proposal. Councilman Bill McAbee poked holes in the ordinance, which no doubt had some flaws. The motion failed by a 2-4-1 vote, with Mr. Waldrep and Ms. Wilson voting for and Larry Greer abstaining.

During a break, I asked council chairman Michael Thompson if he would vote for the ordinance if Mr. Waldrep addresses the flaws that Mr. McAbee suggested.

“No way!” Mr. Thompson said, and his explanation smacked of politics. He cited the fact that Ms. Wilson has sued Anderson County Administrator Joey Preston over closed records. The complicated case, which isn’t purely about open records, went to the state Supreme Court last month.

After the meeting, I told Mr. Waldrep that I support the push for open records, but it’s a push he shouldn’t have to make.

When Ms. Wilson and others want to pry into Mr. Preston’s private life, I’ll support the administrator. But when she wants to see public records, I’m on her side.

That’s the problem in this polarized county. Who’s side are you on?

I’m for open records.

When Ms. Wilson faxed a few county credit card statements to the Anderson Independent-Mail in December, she got her wish. We wrote stories. We filed an FOIA request to look at more credit card statements ourselves. We saw them recently and reported on them extensively.

Were we manipulated? Sure. But I’m a little ashamed that it took her prodding to start our digging.

Our digging didn’t result in any big “Gotcha!” findings, but it didn’t hurt to look. Citizens should know where the money goes. Much goes legitimately toward economic development. In that regard, if all of the budgeted dollars were not spent wooing new businesses here, we should scold the county for not spending more.

Ms. Wilson has received mountains of county documents, so don’t buy her cry that she never gets to see any records. But she should get to see all she wants, with reasonable exceptions supported by the law.

Open up and open wide, Anderson County. Case closed.