Want to Fix the Government? Fix the Code | Amanpour and Company

Jennifer Pahlka’s new book,“Recoding America,” takes a hard look at how the U.S. is falling short in the digital age. Pahlka talks to Walter about the difference between putting policy down on paper and putting it into practice -- and ways in which government inaction is hurting everyday Americans.
Originally aired on July 14, 2023
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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
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[@robertpoen5383]

I applied for SNAP in California. 30 pages, I'm not kidding. A month later they sent me a letter saying I had an appointment-- only one problem: I received the letter three days after the scheduled appointment had passed. I tried calling them. Just try getting through that maze, little mouse, ha! I went to the office, but they said you can't schedule an appointment in person... why not? They offered no explanation. Only, I must try calling again. I was trying very hard not to blow a gasket. So I gave up. Franz Kafka himself couldn't make this stuff up.

[@buzoff4642]

Similar in industry - part of your job is competing for under resourced. Literally advised, if you want a parking space, you'll have to come in earlier than your coworker - lunch food, go to the cafe before your coworkers, etc.

[@Erik_The_Viking]

The EDD in CA is from the Jurassic period. A great example of why it's time to simplify things and stop blaming the technology. All of the technology in the world won't help broken policy. Sadly they're not motivated to fix it. Concrete boats is spot on. There needs to be a healthy balance with requirements, UX/UI, policy and other aspects.

[@buzoff4642]

Our policies grow more complex, the faster technology and globalism exposes the country, right down to cities and states, to new mitigating factors. Roll in the he11 hole of two party Far Left/Far Right vacillating on policy, and it's surprising anything still functions.

[@lam6572]

Thanks for covering this extremely important problem, a problem needing more focused media attention and a timely remedy! Streamline, user-friendly modernization of state and federal government administrative functions is long overdue. … Clunky slow US governance is an embarrassment in a comparison with other nations. We can’t afford to waste any more time. Could the arcane, red-tape dysfunction be a ploy for welching on the delivery of promises to the people? Gumming up the works thwarts the flow of funding.

[@ronniew3028]

Great discussion. I wish there was more information on how we are doing in this administration regarding upgrading antiquated computer systems/programs and streamlining procedures. What's the priority? How successful have we been? Is funding b the issue? etc.

[@lam6572]

@@ronniew3028 I agree… Your’s are key questions!

[@lindas.martin2806]

Based on ten years in municipal government, No. It is more about inefficient, outmoded systems. Example, a co tract for a 300USD grant might cost 1000 to process, given the number of people needed to approve it. Ridiculous.

[@lam6572]

@@lindas.martin2806 Sounds right to me! "Outmoded" is the operative word.

[@SwedishBlouse]

The problem is that you and this lady need the "government" to exist to begin with.

[@PremjitTalwar]

Brilliant. Jennifer should be in charge of the Bureaucracy Reduction Office.

[@paulwheeler6609]

The presumptions made about the digital revolution at the onset of the age have largely underestimated the negative aspects those technologies have had on our nation. They have, in many ways, torn this country apart. But boy, they sure are convenient.

[@lindas.martin2806]

totally agree about implementation as more of a priority in successfully meeting objectives. And people who implement need to be part of many if not all steps in the process of solving a problem, meeting a challenge, and improving quality of life.

[@kristinostrom]

Thank you - very important insights especially with respect to effective implantation not just passing a law or policy. This requires our collective attention.

[@randstahl4869]

Pahlak demonstrates admirable intelligence.

[@Gotrek-sk8rq]

The housing crisis is ARTIFICIAL. Also does anyone wanna say it? The government is BROKEN ON PURPOSE. Things aren’t implemented ON PURPOSE. It’s the RICH that are the cause of this. Taxation and Redistribution is the ONLY SHIT that’s going to realistically work. Don’t swallow this pointless conversation. Yes the government needs better workers and computers. TAX THE WEALTHY TO BUY THEM. No pie in the sky shit, no open ended questions and enthusiasm. Just reality.

[@buzoff4642]

I mind it being cast as "redistribution". The profits are earned, as in earned income, by those paying higher tax rates than those living on capital gains and the ridiculous 5% tax rate. National Living Min Wage.

[@bluerayfrequency7335]

The government is so disorganized. Wasting time, money, and tax dollars.

[@lindas.martin2806]

And yet, it is relevant that part of why policies and projects take more time is that public process is a large part of government, ensuring that the public has time to participate and share their views on public meetings and review and ability to comment on public policies BEFORE voting or before a decision is made.

[@bluerayfrequency7335]

@@lindas.martin2806 Oh sorry, I don't believe that for a second. How many actions are taken by our handlers ( Bills literally PUSHED THROUGH) without public knowledge, let alone input.

[@buzoff4642]

@@bluerayfrequency7335 Possibly Linda is an activist, with lobbyist power, or retired. "The public"s households are kept barely economically viable so they have no such time for BEFORE. Additionally, writing to my Senator, when she voted to give a company permission to trial their failing synthetic blood on public, without knowledge nor consent, I can honestly say they have no interest in hearing from anyone but industry.

[@gerardogarciacabrero7650]

I was in Austin in 1997 an as a mexican I was impressed by a local televised town hall like @linda...2806 describes. My queation to you (4 guys, now) "would/should we have faith in KZbin comments inteeface and improve/fix its code as well?"

[@gerardogarciacabrero7650]

Comments INTERFACE. Sorry

[@tengotnco5942]

End to end ... Policy to implementation..yes what is timely, effective results... it applies universally!

[@tonytango6676]

One huge problem affecting low income folks in the USA is the magnetic straight SNAP cards which provide for food for low income folks. The magnetic stripe is ridiculously easy to duplicate with $100 worth of parts available on eBay. And draining of the snap recipients benefits is such a hassle for those needy folks. Chances are the magnetic stripe requirement is embedded in the law has passed by Congress. Although I do not know that. The snap cards must be brought up to the latest digital standard as soon as possible. This also means that the US retail and banks can stop supporting magnetic stripe which the rest of the world has left behind.

[@__________5737]

Great let’s get better code. Now do a piece on institutionalized corruption which is THE problem with our government.

[@umasobservations]

This is the kind of issue AI would be efficient and appropriate in solving... Not taking over the arts.

[@buzoff4642]

@@erdelegy While that's true, so is algorithmic targeting of individuals by introducing bias that individuals writing the algorithms are unaware of.

[@lindas.martin2806]

And given where the UK is today, do you think it has improved their government and their economy and other aspects of daily life? How? Or How not? Specifically?

[@WillN2Go1]

The first answer to "How do we get out of this mess?" Is a lot of people at management levels depend on the current mess. They advanced in this mess, if things change they might have to find another job. They're also the ones who make sure any practical suggestion from below them in the hierarchy is blocked while they and upper management do everything they can to keep change from happening. Everyone has heard the story of Steve Job during a meeting at Apple asking rhetorically, "Do we all hate our phones?" This was so prescient because it came from the top. Down here at the consumer level we raise these type of issues day after day, while management sends out marketing and Information from DoNotReply internet addresses.

[@levlevin182]

The road to suffering is paved with good intentions. However, A simple man once said, when you come to the fork in the road, take it. Nothing wrong with complexity it justly ends in simplicity.

[@lauriwinter2845]

Fabulous topic... need more people thinking a 17:35 about implementation because it is what we need

[@kasondaleigh]

Interesting.

[@not_enoughmana]

Good luck ever trying to get through to a human at EDD. You’ll have better luck reaching out to your State Assembly person and having them do it on your behalf. It’s not just archaic bureaucracy that are a problem. The system is functioning by design to make it as difficult as possible for applicants to apply for any sort of social program.

[@leslievega8035]

Where can I buy a thermometer for bureaucracy health in Nevada?

[@danklatt7503]

Concrete boats float. Boats with holes in them or over loaded tend to sink.

[@josephhuether1184]

I have to laugh because the “concrete boat” metaphor is confusing to me. Ferro-cement boats have been a “thing” for centuries. I first read about them in architecture school in the 1970s.

[@gerardogarciacabrero7650]

Hi @joseph..1184 perhaps Stone Raft? As in Saramago's en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stone_Raft

[@leslievega8035]

Implementation > Policy

[@normalizedaudio2481]

GSA is so motivational. i just pop out of my shoes.

[@leslievega8035]

90 years of policy clutter. America sounds like an extreme hoarder.

[@leslievega8035]

6700 requirements for a RFP 😅😢

[@mycount64]

As a politician... you get remembered for building nukes, drones, space force. Not, how many bullets were made.

[@har8397]

Lisa loeb started a new career???

[@dribrom]

Well the silver bullet is to stop voting for people who are not expert on what they do.

[@jimmyjimjimmyjimjimjimjim4437]

I used to build concrete boats . . . they're not all that bad.😉

[@MichaeldeSousaCruz]

Stop aggrandizing Elon Musk! He’s a Fascist!

[@marccox8977]

OMG 6,700 Requirements 🤯

[@buzoff4642]

It started with basic technical functions. Then materials had to be added as junk was being delivered. Then performance specifications, because unfit for purpose arose (does not scale for number of users, for example). Then the cheater BS started - no, it can't fall apart from unspec'ed chintzy plastic case with systems falling apart. Then trade agreements added carve outs - did you know Hungarians have lower qualifiers for American social security than Americans? Then tech moved abroad giving away intellectual property so we now have another layer of cyber security requirements. Yes. 6700 would not be unusual.

[@imperialmotoring3789]

She looks like she just rolled out of bed.

[@buzoff4642]

What a petty little mind you have.

[@loissteinberg4255]

This is inappropriate.