A streamlined government would be designed for efficient, transparent, and responsive action, eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy and focusing on core values: accountability, clarity, and effectiveness. Below is a step-by-step vision of how a streamlined government could operate, from decision-making to law implementation.
Step 1: Simplify Legislative Procedures
- Reduce Filibuster Power
- Implement the “talking filibuster” only, requiring senators to actively speak to delay a vote. No procedural holds; if you oppose a bill, show up and defend your stance publicly. Once the speaking stops, the vote proceeds.
- Lower Supermajority Thresholds for Key Decisions
- For most legislative decisions, require a simple majority (51%) to pass. Reserve supermajority (e.g., 60% or 67%) for constitutional amendments or fundamental changes, but not for routine policy legislation.
- Mandate Time Limits on Debates and Voting
- Set specific deadlines for debating bills (e.g., 1–2 weeks for major bills). Once time expires, voting occurs, preventing indefinite delays.
- Establish Fast-Track Committees
- Create specialized, nonpartisan “fast-track committees” that focus on drafting critical legislation, such as healthcare, infrastructure, and national security. These committees would expedite bills directly to the floor for voting, reducing the time spent on committee revisions.
Step 2: Increase Transparency and Accountability in Decision-Making
- Require Digital Public Documentation for All Bills
- All proposed bills and amendments must be published online in clear, plain language, summarizing intent, budget impact, and anticipated outcomes. Allow the public to view, comment, and engage with legislation before it goes to a vote.
- Introduce Mandatory “Rationale” Statements for Votes
- Every senator and representative must provide a written “rationale” statement for each vote they cast, explaining their reasoning in simple terms. These statements are publicly available, giving voters a clear understanding of where their representatives stand.
- Strengthen Ethics Oversight
- Expand ethics committees with independent oversight to monitor conflicts of interest, lobbying, and other ethical concerns. Swift and transparent reporting of findings ensures accountability.
Step 3: Streamline Executive Decision-Making
- Empower Departments with Clear, Direct Authority
- Simplify the chain of command within federal agencies by giving clear, direct authority to department heads to implement policy decisions without excessive inter-agency delays. For instance, if the Department of Energy approves a clean energy initiative, it can begin immediately.
- Annual Performance Reviews and Public Accountability for Agencies
- Require every agency to undergo an annual performance review that evaluates progress on key initiatives and budgets. Make reports available to the public in a straightforward, summarized format, providing transparency and allowing for adjustments.
Step 4: Streamline Law Implementation and Enforcement
- Use Pilot Programs for New Policies
- Before implementing large-scale policies, conduct small-scale pilot programs to test effectiveness, measure impact, and make improvements. Use data from these programs to inform broader rollout.
- Digitize Government Services
- Move all essential government services online with user-friendly, accessible interfaces. Citizens should be able to complete tasks like tax filing, license renewals, and public benefit applications online, reducing wait times and government workload.
- Create Real-Time Dashboards for Public Project Tracking
- Implement dashboards that track major government projects (e.g., infrastructure, health programs) in real-time, showing budget status, timeline, and progress. This accountability measure helps ensure projects stay on track.
Step 5: Strengthen Public Engagement and Feedback
- Establish a National Online Feedback Platform
- Build a digital platform for citizens to voice concerns, suggest policies, and provide feedback on existing policies. Track engagement, prioritize popular issues, and provide government responses on the platform to foster a dialogue.
- Hold Quarterly Public Town Halls with Elected Officials
- Every representative must hold quarterly virtual or in-person town halls, answering constituent questions directly and transparently. These sessions are recorded and made public.
Step 6: Prioritize Evidence-Based Policy and Budgeting
- Allocate Funds Based on Clear Impact Analysis
- All budget proposals and spending must be backed by data on anticipated outcomes and long-term benefits. Each department justifies its budget based on data-driven impact, ensuring funds are used effectively.
- Use Objective “Policy Impact Assessments”
- For every new policy, conduct an independent assessment on potential social, economic, and environmental impacts. These assessments inform lawmakers and the public, reducing partisanship in favor of data-backed decisions.
- Continuous Monitoring and Adaptive Policy Adjustments
- Create systems for ongoing evaluation of major policies, allowing for real-time adjustments to improve outcomes. If a policy isn’t working, adaptive adjustments are made based on current data.
Step 7: Strengthen Civic Education and Accessibility
- Invest in Civic Education
- Create programs to improve public understanding of how government functions, including simple resources on policy and legislation. Accessible, unbiased information empowers citizens to engage effectively.
- Establish a “Civic Access Corps”
- Develop a group of trained public servants dedicated to helping citizens navigate government services, engage in civic processes, and access public benefits without unnecessary complications.
Summary of the Streamlined Government Vision
This streamlined approach reduces procedural bottlenecks, prioritizes transparency, and makes government more accountable and responsive to the public. By simplifying decision-making, improving accessibility, and fostering continuous feedback, this vision seeks a government that works efficiently to address real needs while staying transparent and accountable to the people it serves.