What is Better Bureaucracy? And why is it mentioned so much?

“Better bureaucracy" is a term I use to encapsulate the transformative potential we can unlock in the Federal Government and state governments through modern technology. By simplifying key processes and creating more seamless interactions between citizens and government agencies, we can fundamentally change how our government operates—making it more efficient, responsive, and user-friendly.

The U.S. government is one of the largest and most complex organizations in the world, with thousands of departments and agencies all intertwined to serve the American people. The scale of daily interactions behind the scenes to keep things running is staggering, yet we continue to operate in an inefficient and often dysfunctional manner. This doesn’t have to be the case.

Many of us have experienced the frustration of dealing with government bureaucracy. Whether it's waiting in line at the DMV for something that should take five minutes or spending an entire afternoon trying to obtain a birth certificate, Social Security number, or benefits, the inefficiency is apparent. These experiences are not just inconvenient; they represent a broader issue of systemic inefficiency that wastes time, resources, and taxpayer money.

Imagine a future where you can obtain vital records with the click of a button, where Social Security transparency is the norm, and where IRS processes are streamlined to eliminate unnecessary complexity. Envision a system where a single login provides access to all government services and applying for benefits is a one-click process based on your most recent IRS filings. These changes are not just possible—they are necessary for creating a government that is truly responsive to the needs of its citizens.

In fact, the U.S. government and various accountability offices struggle to estimate the full extent of waste caused by bureaucratic inefficiency. While it may be impossible to identify every instance of waste, we can take concrete steps to modernize the basic infrastructure of how many government agencies operate. For instance, renewing your driver's license online should be a matter of minutes, applying for Medicare should be straightforward, and filing your taxes—especially for W-2 workers—should be automated or take only a few clicks. The interaction between citizens and their government should be simple, efficient, and intuitive. This is the vision I want to champion as your representative in Congress.

The complacency that has allowed outdated practices to persist in our government is unacceptable. Poor management in government is fundamentally a leadership issue. From sourcing contracts for large-scale public projects to managing critical digital infrastructure, our current practices are archaic. Why do we continue to entrust billions of dollars to companies that fail to deliver on their promises? It’s time for a new era of leadership that prioritizes transparency, efficiency, and accountability.

We need to move away from relying on third-party vendors for critical digital infrastructure. Instead, we should establish an agency specifically designed to handle these projects, bringing them under direct government oversight. This shift would not only improve efficiency but also ensure that our digital infrastructure is secure, reliable, and tailored to the needs of the American people.

In conclusion, "better bureaucracy" is about more than just streamlining processes—it's about reimagining how our government functions in the digital age. It's about creating a government that works for the people, not against them. And it’s about ushering in a new era of leadership that is committed to making this vision a reality.