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> The solution to this is simple: allow the USPS to offer banking services to the unbanked. Walmart is basically the banking service for the unbanked. Between

> The solution to this is simple: allow the USPS to offer banking services to the unbanked. Walmart is basically the banking service for the unbanked. Between Bluebird, check cashing, and bill paying, you got a lot of bank functions. https://www.walmart.com/cp/walmart-money-center/5433 https://www.walmart.com/cp/walmart-money-center/5433

toomuchtodo 9y ago
Great observation. Huge fan (shockingly enough) of the work they're doing in that regard, but I would argue that minimal banking functions should be served by the USPS or other governmental organization (in a transparent, accountable way), as it's basic infrastructure necessary to operate in today's economy as a citizen. What Walmart giveth, Walmart can taketh away at any time.
- protomyth 9y ago
  I trust Walmart because its really in their best interest. If you are in a poor area on the 1st of the month, you know exactly why they would not screw this one up. I grew up with Indian Health Services (and the 3 operations to correct a poorly done root canal) have taught me that a group with a profit interest is probably going to do a better job than a disinterested government agency.
  - toomuchtodo 9y ago
    I can understand where you're coming from. I would say that we should be building processes and systems that enable those who are interested in delivering results to achieve roles in positions of power in government, while disempowering empire builders and self-interested parties. To your anecdote, would you not trust the US Health and Human Services to deliver national healthcare if the team behind Watsi was in charge? Because that is quite literally what they're doing; building a transparent [1] and ruthlessly efficient [2] healthcare management system for third world citizens. Cleary, YC believes they can do it [3]. I also believe it can be done. [1] https://usenotion.com/watsi/transparency/ https://usenotion.com/watsi/transparency/ [2] https://venturebeat.com/2017/02/07/y-combinator-and-watsi-launch-study-to-see-how-technology-can-fix-healthcare/ https://venturebeat.com/2017/02/07/y-combinator-and-watsi-la... [3] https://blog.ycombinator.com/yc-research-universal-healthcare/ https://blog.ycombinator.com/yc-research-universal-healthcar...
    - protomyth 9y ago
      No, I wouldn't trust US Health and Human Services because the government cannot manage to serve a much smaller population through Indian Health Service without racking up years of tragedy and mismanagement. If they cannot succeed with a smaller group then why would I trust them with a bigger group?
      - toomuchtodo 9y ago
        Because a government will always be more accountable than a for profit entity. Everyone gets a vote. Anyone can run for office.
        dragonwriter 9y ago
        One of the big problems with US government institutions aimed at the Native American population like IHS is that the population they serve is small and diffuse so that it has basically zero electoral power and can impose no accountability.
        anoncoward111 9y ago
        This, unfortunately, is wrong in the USA. The IHS is not staffed by elected officials. The Native Americans who need our help, and do not receive it from the government IHS, do not have any way of democratically bringing about a more efficient team to run their health services. The ONLY solution therefore must be a private one.
        dragonwriter 9y ago
        > The IHS is not staffed by elected officials. It's accountable to elected officials in Congress and the White House, OTOH, those elected officials are not in any meaningful sense accountable to the population served by IHS. > The ONLY solution therefore must be a private one. The structural problems with IHS incentives and accountability don't mean that there is a better private solution, and private services to Native American communities often are poor, too, because private industry isn't really all that interested in solving problems for people that have very little money to pay for the solution.

toomuchtodo 9y ago

Great observation. Huge fan (shockingly enough) of the work they're doing in that regard, but I would argue that minimal banking functions should be served by the USPS or other governmental organization (in a transparent, accountable way), as it's basic infrastructure necessary to operate in today's economy as a citizen. What Walmart giveth, Walmart can taketh away at any time.

protomyth 9y ago
I trust Walmart because its really in their best interest. If you are in a poor area on the 1st of the month, you know exactly why they would not screw this one up. I grew up with Indian Health Services (and the 3 operations to correct a poorly done root canal) have taught me that a group with a profit interest is probably going to do a better job than a disinterested government agency.
- toomuchtodo 9y ago
  I can understand where you're coming from. I would say that we should be building processes and systems that enable those who are interested in delivering results to achieve roles in positions of power in government, while disempowering empire builders and self-interested parties. To your anecdote, would you not trust the US Health and Human Services to deliver national healthcare if the team behind Watsi was in charge? Because that is quite literally what they're doing; building a transparent [1] and ruthlessly efficient [2] healthcare management system for third world citizens. Cleary, YC believes they can do it [3]. I also believe it can be done. [1] https://usenotion.com/watsi/transparency/ https://usenotion.com/watsi/transparency/ [2] https://venturebeat.com/2017/02/07/y-combinator-and-watsi-launch-study-to-see-how-technology-can-fix-healthcare/ https://venturebeat.com/2017/02/07/y-combinator-and-watsi-la... [3] https://blog.ycombinator.com/yc-research-universal-healthcare/ https://blog.ycombinator.com/yc-research-universal-healthcar...
  - protomyth 9y ago
    No, I wouldn't trust US Health and Human Services because the government cannot manage to serve a much smaller population through Indian Health Service without racking up years of tragedy and mismanagement. If they cannot succeed with a smaller group then why would I trust them with a bigger group?
    - toomuchtodo 9y ago
      Because a government will always be more accountable than a for profit entity. Everyone gets a vote. Anyone can run for office.
      - dragonwriter 9y ago
        One of the big problems with US government institutions aimed at the Native American population like IHS is that the population they serve is small and diffuse so that it has basically zero electoral power and can impose no accountability.
      - anoncoward111 9y ago
        This, unfortunately, is wrong in the USA. The IHS is not staffed by elected officials. The Native Americans who need our help, and do not receive it from the government IHS, do not have any way of democratically bringing about a more efficient team to run their health services. The ONLY solution therefore must be a private one.
        dragonwriter 9y ago
        > The IHS is not staffed by elected officials. It's accountable to elected officials in Congress and the White House, OTOH, those elected officials are not in any meaningful sense accountable to the population served by IHS. > The ONLY solution therefore must be a private one. The structural problems with IHS incentives and accountability don't mean that there is a better private solution, and private services to Native American communities often are poor, too, because private industry isn't really all that interested in solving problems for people that have very little money to pay for the solution.