Politicians don’t get elected on platforms of self-interest. Or with promises saying the public doesn’t deserve to know what the government does. Or that holding government reins accords a status above the law.

“Accountability” and “transparency” feel like the two most-often repeated words in campaign speeches — until the election is over.

While we may sound cynical in stating this, we know that many transgressions are based in not knowing the law as opposed to deliberate shenanigans — and that misdeeds and mistakes know no party.

True accountability doesn’t come of campaign promises (check Republican and Democratic governor’s race pledges to do away with the carve-out on Freedom of Information Act for legislators and the governor, a continuing exemption that keeps Michigan in the bottom of open government rankings). Rather, it’s borne of an informed public voice, making itself heard.

Several recent actions show that power.

On a state level, the redistricting commission, a body constructed out of words like “transparency” and “accountability” from a public tired of gerrymandering, backpedaled on a decision to give themselves 7% raises.

The outcry from informed Michiganders reversed the call, and commissioners returned to the pay of $55,755 per year. The group’s spokesman told Bridge Michigan that the commission was the “greatest civics lesson in the world” because the public can trace how the board “listens through their decisions.”

Another recent decision came under scrutiny here locally when the voters in Houghton showed their distrust in the way the city of Houghton was planning to deal with Veridea Group on a redevelopment plan for the parking deck near the waterfront. Houghton voters elected new commissioners and the discussions were tabled and the plan reopened for discussion.

The true arbiters of government accountability are the governed. Words like accountability and transparency hold little power on their own, but the actions of an informed public show their strength. One needs only look around to see it in action.