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I'm arguing that without these prerequisites, this 'optimization' isn't an optimization at all - it'll be a step backwards, because it'll just end up ripping pe

I'm arguing that without these prerequisites, this 'optimization' isn't an optimization at all - it'll be a step backwards, because it'll just end up ripping people off. People certainly should demand reform, but not this particular reform at this particular time. People should absolutely demand a simpler tax code - I don't know about you, but I'm still holding out hope we'll see some tax reform in 2013. 'Competent government' is a harder problem. Americans aren't Norwegians or Germans, and simply aren't good at large bureaucracy. Unless America starts subcontracting out its administration to the Swedes, better government is going to take either a change in American character or something smaller and less-centralized.

danso 14y ago
> Americans aren't Norwegians or Germans, and simply aren't good at large bureaucracy. Unless America starts subcontracting out its administration to the Swedes, better government is going to take either a change in American character or something smaller and less-centralized. This is a strange assertion, as if Swedes had an innate gene that allowed them to be more adept when they joined public service. Let's assume that that's not true and it's an ability learned through environment and civic education...I'm arguing that that reaching this ideal situation of "good character" will require -- when it is possible -- to make interaction with the government more efficient. Else, you may end up in a situation in which citizens are so distrustful of the government that they never see the point of achieving good civic character. And then we never end up being as good as the Germans and the Swedes.