There is simply no reason why any state secrets should be secret for more than 5 years. It's utterly absurd that something like the Kennedy assassination files are still kept secret. Much of what was in the Iraqi War Logs was simply to help the pro-war propaganda campaign.
If Wikileaks has taught us anything, it's that we cannot trust our leaders to appropriately classify information.
There are military systems that don't even get fielded within 5 years of design start. I think 5 years is therefore way too short, at least as a generic number.
I agree. Guaranteed, mandatory declassification after a period of time is a must if the people are truly to control their government. One cannot be said to have the right to vote if they do not have the right to have the facts upon which to cast their ballots.
Five years seems great, but even if the period were 20 years, the fact that someday one's actions will be public will be enough to make them think twice.
I'm sure something could be worked out. Mandatory declassification review at 5 years, declassification absent an order from the President at 10 years, and mandatory declassification at 15 years (including the declassification of the declassification review and extension order at 10 years).
If Wikileaks has taught us anything, it's that we cannot trust our leaders to appropriately classify information.