What Happened To Our E-Government?
from the it's-all-about-promotion dept
A good opinion piece from Hal Plotkin wondering whatever happened to the idea that government agency websites should be useful to the constituents they serve. Instead, they all seem designed to be useful for whoever is currently holding office. Instead of providing information that is useful to the public, the sites are often campaign brochures. He points out that the public really does “own” these websites, and we should take back control of them – and turn them into something useful. Have an opinion on an issue? A website should tell you how to link up with other, like-minded people. Want to run for office yourself and kick out the bums who are already there? The websites should explain that, too. But they don’t – because the incumbents would rather use it to protect their own position.
