Posted on 02/01/2025 11:38:53 AM PST by RoosterRedux
Unions will undoubtedly howl. So will progressives. And Musk’s plans will probably face legal challenges. But even as many observers recoil, quite understandably, from Musk’s brutal style, there is one point that no one should ignore: if Doge can actually unleash digital reform in the US government, and in a non-corrupt manner, that would be an unambiguously good thing.
Indeed, if I had a Musk-focused magic wand, I would wish him to make digital reform, not trolling his critics, Doge’s main priority. Digitising government is not just the key to creating greater efficiency and effectiveness; it could also restore some of the public’s shattered trust in the state.
The reason for this is that America is bedevilled by a paradox. On the one hand, its private sector is extraordinarily dynamic, and driving much of the 21st-century tech revolution, with its laser-like focus on consumers. But on the other, its government bureaucracy is sclerotic and inefficient, with an antediluvian approach to technology.
...
And there is widespread consensus on what should be done: install a “software as a service” mentality into government that focuses on user needs, with a centralised “share services” model. That could create a co-ordinated procurement process that would slash costs, create a better experience for citizens and improve cyber defence.
(Excerpt) Read more at ft.com ...
I’m not sure what they really mean by “digitizing” the government. But what I’ve seen in the past is that some lawyer will file a Freedom of Information Act request and then be told that in 6 to 8 months, those records might become available. I’d like to see government records available (where legally warranted) by the push of a button. 24 hours. Here you go. Any request for information that takes months to fulfill just makes me think that they are scrubbing out all the good stuff. Let’s digitize and make retrieval fast and easy.
Whatever they will do, it will increase data gathering, centralized control, and work for the benefit of big tech and the national security state.
Remember, whatever tools they make for “better government”, one day those things will be in the hands of democrats.
That Stargate announcement with Sam Altman is a good example. He is an absolutist in favor of a constant surveillance state with AI watching everything you do. He says it will make us “better citizens”.
Digitizing this is going to do what, exactly? Make the government more sclerotic and inefficient???
Yeah, but just as long as it’s not hackable by China.
Just as SaaS platforms focus on seamless, user-friendly experiences, government services should be designed around citizen needs, ensuring accessibility and efficiency. By embracing this approach, governments can modernize service delivery, improve coordination across agencies, and provide a more secure, cost-effective digital infrastructure.
I agree. All I can do is to advocate that we shrink the size of the Swamp in DC. And that we return some of its powers back to the states.
Don't blame the target for firing back, blame the aggressors trying stand in the way progress
Also a lot of program and paperwork elimination. For example, even in Illinois it’s no longer required to register a canoe or kayak. Someone did their homework and found that it cost more to process the paperwork and issue stickers than the $13/year fee covered.
The best kind of digitization is when the answer becomes zero.
I see the whiners a continuing the nonsense. Watch the vid It says nothing you Bannon bot screamers claim
Not so fast there Elon. I personally think digitalizing things have made the entire world more vulnerable to absolute control & less freedom for the human beings in the world.
I do not want to go to digital money whatsoever for example.
So, in what context is this author in such utter agreement with this digitalizing of the government. Efficiency may be good or bad, all depending on how it is implemented & applied and the degree of control it places in the hands of authority instead of in our hands.
No Paypall — https://archive.ph/hb2Kb
The FAA is still using floppy disks. I guess someone still makes them? I bet they’re expensive these days due to being rare.
Chains. Now available in silicon.
My experience with government computer systems is 40 years old, but I have a strong suspicion that it still holds. I was in the contest to design the American Defense language, DoD-I, which turned into Ada. We came in 2nd to the French and got the contract to identify the thousands of mistakes they made.
But in talking to people about what was needed, we heard so many horror stories. The ones that hit me hardest was that there were computer programs that were deemed essential because all the attempts to replace them failed. So it was necessary to keep them running. Old programs originally written on paper tape and punch cards had their source code missing. So when a new computer came on board, they would write a program to simulate the old computer so that the old program would run. And this would happen again and again and again until a program would run like molasses on layers of simulation.
That was why they dreamed of a common language that might make new programs actually do the job that the contract specified before the whole project failed and was given up.
Anything Musk’s Multitasking Minions can do to fix those old problems is a long held dream come true.
“Instead of fragmented, outdated systems, a centralized shared-services model would standardize procurement, reduce costs, and enhance cybersecurity.”
The Federal government already has centralized procurement for many items, especially consumable items. It is called the GSA General Services Administration and DLA Defense Logistics Agency.
The problem is not that these systems are antiquated, it is that often offices within the government have problems submitting requisitions for items they need. They have nobody who is authorized to enter these requisitions or fund them. Very few offices even have a credit card with which to buy supplies anymore, nor FedEx accounts to ship quickly. It was pretty frustrating knowing you needed something and finding it available at GSA or DLA but not having a way to procure it.
“All I can do is to advocate that we shrink the size of the Swamp in DC. And that we return some of its powers back to the states.”
Exactly. THAT is what we need. Not more AI, centralization, etc.
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