by Charles Winn
Opinion THE GOVERNMENT DINOSAUR Charles Winn 530 McAlway Road Charlotte, N. C. 28211 Over the years we have witnessed the growth and development of what could best be described as the governmental dinosaur – a large unwieldy critter, who though well-meaning. Thinks slowly, moves awkwardly, reacts tardily, and is best with many ailments and infirmities. Like its animal form it may well ultimately become so ineffective and weighed down as to collapse into death and extinction. This governmental monstrosity has assumed duties and responsibilities out of all proportion to its intrinsic talents and abilities. It was designed or put together piecemeal to serve in slower less demanding times and has had new and challenging obligations thrust upon it. Human comprehension and reaction at the governmental and legislative levels is incapable of coping with the multitude or complexity of rapidly changing facts, figures, and demands. New discoveries, advanced technologies, and other newly revealed knowledge moves at such a rapid pace that it defies human assimilation and coordination by those who require these benefits and insights most. Government, like the great retarded beast, stumbles and staggers its way along – trampling many underfoot, wavering from a proper course, over or under compensating, and becoming more lost and confused. The mere size of the organism renders it ineffectual. The multitudinous bureaus, departments, offices, agencies, and divisions grow like cancerous cells in wild profusion. When they do function or respond it is not always in conjunction and cooperation between these segments is a nightmare activity. Other investigators and writers have examined and ably described the wild inconsistencies and glaring deficiencies of this tremendous organization. We are all familiar with some of the errors. Shortcomings and the ineffectiveness of the government as it exist today. It is no one individual's fault that these conditions prevail, but does this ignorant beast in its present form warrant our trust and confidence? Does it even begin to efficiently serve the potential and actual needs of the American populace? This beast is not peculiar to only the United States, but has its counterparts in other countries. In fact, there the colossus may be even more ponderous, awkward, and intractable. Our chief concern however, is with remedies, improvements, and innovations. This process shouldn't require revolution in anything but our thinking and our solutions. Initially, we might try a massive undertaking – the creation of the largest, most efficient computer yet conceived or assembled – a computer capable of retaining, assimilating, and processing information relating to all phases of governmental concern or interest. The machine would require a sizeable complex of experts to insure its proper function. Initially, to insure the accuracy of data, statistics, and information gathered, there would have to be a virtually fool-proof systems organization to gather such data and a board of experts from various fields and disciplines, men above suspicion or reproach and of sterling character, to make final judgments' on what material was to be programmed and to oversee those that physically entered information into the machine. The margin for error would most certainly be less than it is under present random circumstances. The machine could be programmed to temporarily reject material that was inconsistent with or deviant from information already retained. This material, in turn, could be reviewed by the board to ascertain its accuracy before resubmission. Computer experts and designers could build the necessary safety procedures and safeguards into the machine at its inception to prevent tampering and misuse. This computer might well be dubbed Uncle Sam and could be relied on for accuracy, rationale, and impartiality. The machine may not be infallible, but would be infinitely superior to the mass confusion and human error that exist today. It could provide the president and his cabinet, the Congress, and other essential government figures with up-to-date and comprehensive information on which decisions could be partially based. The extent to which this information would be acted upon could be determined by experience and performance. Uncle Sam would obviate much of reliance placed upon outside lobbyists, who are almost always selfishly motivated and self-appointed experts whose information is often, at best, questionable. Uncle Sam could offset and reduce much of the mediocrity, partiality, and outright chicanery that now exists in the government area. If these machines can be relied upon to deliver expensive and complicated space vehicles to obscure destinations with unerring accuracy and exactitude, they could certainly be channeled to the task of eliminating much of the human weakness and shortcomings, the boondoggery, and all of the prolonged hassling that they generate in government affairs. The legislative and administrative systems have
