| Independent government watchdogs
are a traditional cost-effective check on government excess, ranging from
agency omsbudsmen, to solicitors general, to independent prosecutors.
They are a recognition that watchdogging government is a full time job
and that most citizens don't have the resources to keep government accountable
between elections for day to day decisions that affect our lives.
Lawsuits were only a small part of the Intervenors’ role and few lawsuits
were actually pursued.  The
Intervenors authority to sue was often enough to bring people to the negotiating
table to get results, avoid lawsuits, and to discourage agencies from making
decisions which could damage public rights. The Intervenors served
as preventative medicine.
Many times, the Intervenors were able to negotiate reasonable compromises
and out-of-court settlements that protected public rights. In addition,
the Intervenors often provided valuable free information and advice to
hundreds of citizens, businesses and legislators who contacted the office
each year.
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