In my eBook, I talked a bit about government's role in restructuring the economy. Calling it "Outside-In Politics", I somewhat fantasized about an approach where the far left and right adopts some of the oxymoronic views of the the other to actually further their own agendas.
Nice idea, but we probably have more chance of seeing a hobbit representing Massachusetts' 4th congressional district. (Wait a minute, isn't that Barney "Frodo" Frank's turf?) 
Today, another bit of fantasy comes to us via Barack Obama's weekly video address to the nation. As part of his pledge to "open up the White House", President Obama announced that Jeffrey Zients, a CEO, management consultant and entrepreneur, will join the administration as the Chief Performance Officer, and that Aneesh Chopra, Virginia’s Secretary of Technology, will serve as the Chief Technology Officer.
Zients will also serve as Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget. He will work to streamline processes, cut costs, and find the best practices throughout the government. As Chief Technology Officer, Chopra will promote technological innovation to help the country meet its goals from job creation, to reducing health care costs, to protecting the homeland.
According to a statement, "together with Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra, they will help give all Americans a government that is effective, efficient, and transparent."
Wow. About 15 years after the title became commonplace at corporations, the White House has a CTO? What's next? Laptops, wireless and, maybe, something they call "a data warehouse"?
Look, I know I'm a self-professed "optimist", but these appointments seem a bit far-fetched for Pennsylvania Ave. The halls of government are crammed with lawmakers, lobbyists and loyalists that thrive on the bureaucratic mess that is Washington.
I mean, look at the absolute SILLINESS of the filibuster concept, for instance. Can you imagine being in an important business meeting, and one of your most feared negotiation tactics is to stand up in the conference room and talk non-stop for days?
Try that this afternoon and let me know how it works out.
Still, the idea that at very least the executive branch is trying to improve efficiency, technology and accountability is, to me, a step forward. Now, let's see how it works out. The effectiveness of these appointments will go a long way to deciding the direction the upcoming installments of Barack's budding video franchise.
Let's hope these moves produces some great reality programming, and not just a rehash of "The Empire Strikes Back."
Comments