You can't appreciate the need for sunshine until you get lost in the darkness.

So if you want to see just how dark our democracy can get at times, give it a test run: Try working with legislators on your own to get a bill introduced and passed.

You may find that being a concerned citizen who wants to make a difference just isn't enough — not without the access that solid sunshine laws can provide.

That's the experience of Linda Elento and Kalma Wong, as outlined in Advertiser reporter Treena Shapiro's Sunday story.

Elento, motivated by her 5-year-old son with Down syndrome, wants to see a law that would provide children with developmental disabilities services for two extra years rather than being automatically shifted to a special education class at age 3.

Sounds simple? Sisyphus had an easier time with his rock.

Doing her own research, she got the Senate to hear the bill and pass it. Now with crossover, she has to convince the House.

"Just not knowing who these people are and so forth, it's intimidating," Elento said.

Kalma Wong can figure out whom to talk to. The executive director of Cure Autism Now wants a bill that would prevent the state from using vaccines that contain mercury. But Sen. Roz Baker, Senate health committee chairwoman, was unconvinced of Wong's credibility, and wouldn't meet with her.

The bill died.

Elento and Wong's experience shows that the system may work well for the professional lobbyists — well funded by special interests. The pros have the time, research and connections to cut through legislative red tape.

But government works best when it involves both pros and citizens — the "amateurs"— alike.

That's the kind of democracy we should strive for. And that makes sunshine laws that ensure open government and accessibility crucial.

Strong open-meeting and open-records laws do not guarantee success for the citizen-lobbyist. But they at least give these individuals a shot at playing on the same field as those who know the game.