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Entry bubble Your Wish is My Blog Topic

By: Joanne | May 13, 2008 | Category: General

hand holding a sign that says, sock it to meIt’s a special day—mark your calendar. What’s so special about it? Today the federal government isn’t telling you what to do and how to do it, but instead is asking what interests you and what you’d like us to do.

Take a moment to pinch yourself so you can be sure you’re not dreaming. I’ll wait.

Here’s the thing. We’ve got this blog and a team of bloggers, and we want our work to benefit you. Give us your ideas of how you’d like us to use this blog to provide you with information, services or a place to express your opinions—we’re ready to experiment.

We’re really impressed with how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has used their blog to engage their readers. The Transportation Security Administration is the agency that’s in charge of airport security, among other things. The public has been really vocal on the TSA blog, and TSA is getting ideas and feedback about airport security operations that they’ve been able to use to make changes and improve service.

I can’t promise that we can implement your every suggestion. There’s nothing I can do about having to remove your shoes at the airport—believe me, I wish there was! I can promise that we read all of your ideas and use them to guide us in our blogging. We can also share your ideas with other federal government bloggers and web managers.

| Comments [26] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: 2.0   blog   conversation   government   innovation   joanne   topics   web  

Comments:

We welcome your comments and expect that our conversation will follow the general rules of respectful civil discourse. This is a moderated blog, and we will only post comments from bloggers over 13 years of age that relate to topics on Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog. We will review comments for posting within one business day. You are fully responsible for everything that you submit in your comments, and all posted comments are in the public domain. We do not discriminate against any views, but we reserve the right not to post comments.


I am interested to see what will transpire with this, but it has been my experience over the years that Government, tends to over react never under react. Then the red tape gets thicker and heavier, witness the IRS and tax laws. Every time there is a simplification of tax law, it gets more complicated not less. I spent 12 years in the military and watched it become bogged down in bureaucracy and fear of getting in political trouble.
Y'all work in a nightmare city, loaded with politicians, lobbyists and bureaucrats who just want to save their jobs and salaries so don't want to rock the boat. I don't think you, as well meaning as you might be, can cut through all that junk and get things done. I wish you well, but the built in drag on people, money and everything else in Washington D. C. does not lend itself to change. Just look at all the computer systems that can't even talk to each other.
Good luck.

Posted by John Quigley on May 13, 2008 at 07:41 AM EDT #

Thanks for your comment John - so much of what you say is true. We're realistic enough to know that we're not going to change the world with our little blog, but we do believe that we can take steps in the right direction, no matter how small, and lead by example.
If people give little more time and attention to what's going on in their community and their government, it'll go a long way to make government accountable to the people it serves.

Posted by Joanne on May 13, 2008 at 09:03 AM EDT #

I'd like to see a column on "From the Hill" -- devoted to what's happening in Congress, etc. that is newsworthy. I read the Federal Times, etc. but don't always read it in a timely manner, so some short notes on what could impact federal employees would be great....

Posted by SuzieQ on May 13, 2008 at 09:07 AM EDT #

> Those who work in government as employees are, generally, sainted laborers toiling in the morass of rules, paperwork and the usual conflict of managerial ego vs deadwood apathy. I think they do the best they possibly can, take their jobs seriously, and have genuine concern for our people and nation. Every time political control of Congress or Administration changes, the basket gets turned upside down and employees are expected to have it all together again Monday 9AM.

Our schizophrenic Federal system is made worse, for them, by turf battles with the States on really simple things that should be, but cannot be, uniformly Federalized... such as driving and vehicle licenses, marriage and divorce rules, gun laws, interstate commerce, and a handful of other matters that impact everyone.

One outstandingly irritating and dangerous thing not yet accomplished is for there to be a Federal way to mandate seat belts on a school bus. ANY other form of 4-wheeled vehicle and aircraft has the absolute requirement... but not a school bus, the transportation we let our kids get on every single day of the school year. That is idiotic.

End of rant.

Posted by Bluehawk on May 13, 2008 at 09:49 AM EDT #

Thanks for the invitation. The articles I enjoy the most are those that point out Government services I didn't know about. You bloggers are very savvy researchers and come up with good stuff.

Thanks!

Posted by Mike on May 13, 2008 at 10:20 AM EDT #

On July 13th, 2007, our lives were changed forever. Our attic caught on fire, killing our two mama cats, and their nursing kittens. We, two adults, and two children, ages 10 and 16, are still grieving that heart-breaking loss. Not to mention, also losing our home.

When this fire occurred, as a senior citizen, TRYING to recover from two breast cancer surgeries, with many painful and debilitating complications, I was not quite my usual, capable self. Yes, there have been a few delays, due to the deteriorated condition of my health, and a hospitalized child!

Fully aware of my desperate medical need for power, (four breathing treatments per day, the county refused to allow us a quiet, temporary electric pole, which would have also provided a means to maintain our pool, (and saved us literally thousands of dollars, with what the price of gasoline being!)Then they complain
because of the generator, and that the pool is not maintained!

Then the county called in the tabloid media, News 12, to slander us, and tell the surrounding community that they would have to pay for our demolition, and clean-up! Lies, lies, and more lies! Now someone is putting road kill on our property! Looters are stealing the little we had left! We never had any enemies before this.
What I now understand is that Martin County, Fl. , basically, is a
law unto itself! That is very unfortunate. Our founding fathers, although they lived long ago; they definitely possessed a superior understanding of human nature, They knew that unbridled power corrupts. That is why they established our beloved nation with checks and balances, so that as long as those principles are kept in place, we would remain a "nation of free people". Much has been lost in the translation. We are now on a collision course with disaster, unless we quickly get back to the basic rules, set forth by our founders.
Is this anyway to treat our beautiful family?

I would like it to be illegal to comit such a conspiracy, to punish us so severely, because we have been stricken with several tragedies.

Posted by Virginia L. Kenyon on May 13, 2008 at 10:53 AM EDT #

Maybe, just maybe, more of our elected officials would be present for House and Senate votes if there was an "automatic" email system that notified all subscribers that (a) a vote had transpired, (b) a short description of the item being voted on and (c) whether or not and HOW their representative voted on that issue.

A "grass roots check and balance" system, if you will.

Posted by Whiting08759 on May 13, 2008 at 11:20 AM EDT #

I log onto govgab frequently because your bloggers are engaging, and the entries often contain links that I bookmark and pass along to others in my role as a company newsletter editor.
Keep it up, whatever you're doing, it's working--at least, for me!

Posted by Joan on May 13, 2008 at 12:02 PM EDT #

Thanks Bluehawk - the seatbelt on the bus thing is also one of my favorite rants!

Posted by Joanne on May 13, 2008 at 12:08 PM EDT #

Whiting08759,
What a cool idea to hold our elected officials accountable, and keep people engaged in what's going on in the House and Senate. Your suggestion is more elegant, but right now you can track how your representatives in the U.S. House and Senate are voting at:
http://clerk.house.gov/legislative/legvotes.html
and
http://senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/a_three_sections_with_teasers/votes.htm

Posted by Joanne on May 13, 2008 at 12:17 PM EDT #

1 We need our borders protected,,
2 we dont need any spanish published by our federal government.
3No one but citizens should get any help from our fed or state government.
4 Congress should not have the right to add on to bills,, each bill must stand on its own,, no hidden raises fellas, and they should pay social security, and do away with their present pensions. yea, they should be just like us.
5 We need to replace our supreme court members,, they have caused more murders than bin laden ever could have. The have let our forefathers down,,,no common sense.
6.No more hidden courts,, like our sen. kennedy is covered by,, it should be immediately opened to the public.
7. We need to limit terms of congress and the senate,,3 terms is sufficient,,, get some new blood up there on a regular basis.
8Supreme court members should only serve 6 years,,,
9A limit should be set on our federal judges,,no more than 6 years, and make it a special priviledge to represent our country.
10.Raise standards on car manufacturers,, give them 4 years instead of the current rate to increase gas mileage.
11, No more money to cities that do not support our laws,, effective immediately. They should report alliens.
12It should be an honor and privlidge to serve our country,, cut the salary of congress and the senate in half,,, we need people who love america, and support freedom, and not there for the money.
13Cut the waste, that congress approves , they dont need to approve of special projects,,, for 5 years,, let this money pay off the national debt. The keep saying the debt is too high,, well 38 per cent goes to special projects,, such as the big dig in mass..
14Cut Income tax, by 16 percent,, by curbing spending,,
15. We need to drill more for oil,, and get away from opec nations.
16We are not doing as good a job in providing new missiles and up to date warfare equipment,, we should always be second to none , when it comes to protecting america. Be so strong no nation would even mention attacking us...
17 Give God back prayer, in any assembly of people,, not mandatory, but voluntary,,,for one minute.
18We need a strong voice in washington, today we have none, because of the ridicule others put on them,, We need a General Patton, to lead ,,all is required is common sense,,,
19Do not bother our social security money,, leave it intact,,no borrowing,,,that should be a federal crime,,,,,,,,,,,it is our money for the golden age only,,,,,,,,,,
20Put limits on the charges of hospitals,,,they are raping some of our older citizens and some who can not afford insurance,,, my wife had a band aid put on,, and they charged 900 dollars,,, make them responsive to the needs of the public.

Posted by Bob Yates on May 13, 2008 at 12:41 PM EDT #

Well, I thought I was the only Senior with Hospital, Doctor, and Medicine problems.

Your all going to love this One. My wife was on SSI Disability payments and had a Medicaid card when I met and fell in love with her. The day after we we're married. And she called Social Insecurity. BOOM! It was a miracle folks. She was healed. Goodbye SSi payments.(Which they can keep) But the Medicaid Card??

Well when she asked for that back, they told her we should have never married?? But after us protesting that call, they said that ANY One Earning $900.00 or more a month could be their own Insurance Co.

Now, my credits ruined, because I could not pay fast enough. Ans She is still very Ill. Needs Oxygen every night. So we open the window wider and put a fan in. We're always fighting for her Meds. I wish to God those people who dream this garbage up, had to eat it.

Posted by Roberto on May 13, 2008 at 02:31 PM EDT #

I would say you gov bloggers are doing a good job now. I don't expect some political blog like Bob Yates advocates, but what I would like to see is more info on how to find things at usa.gov. Sometimes the useful stuff is like finding buried treasure, great when you find it but difficult to locate.

Posted by Citizen Jmaximus on May 13, 2008 at 02:51 PM EDT #

Citizen Jmaximus -

Here is a link I find very useful for finding just about anything to do with our government:

http://govtinfo.org/

You get a national reference librarian network, THE sine qua non of info finders.

Posted by Bluehawk on May 13, 2008 at 03:11 PM EDT #

You all are doing a great job! Thank you for all you do.

Thomas

Posted by thomas on May 13, 2008 at 03:54 PM EDT #

WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR MY 33 YEAR OLD SON TO GET A JOB. HE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN 1993. HE HAS BEEN OUT OF A JOB FOR A YEAR NOW. HE HAS DONE HOUSE PAINTING AND DRYWALL , HE FINDS SMALL PAITING JOBS ON HIS OWN, BUT NEEDS A JOB WITH BENEFITS. HE HAS HAD NO INSURANCE SENSE HIGH SCHOOL. HIS MEDICIAL BILLS ARE PILLING UP. PLEASE HELP MY SON TO GET A JOB? THANK YOU GOV. BLOGGERS. THANKS FOR LISTENING .

A CONCERNED MOTHER

Posted by luckylady46158 on May 13, 2008 at 07:50 PM EDT #

Hi,

I would like info on two things: virtual reference "shelfs" (list of chosen websites) and phone reference.

How to find lists of non-bias/commercial website resources.

More people than ever talk on the phone, what are the best free phone reference numbers to call?

Thanks,
Elizabeth

Posted by suggestions on May 14, 2008 at 09:18 AM EDT #

How about a topic called "reference" that could cover libraries, web resources, and phone reference developments.

Posted by Elizabeth on May 14, 2008 at 09:20 AM EDT #

I'd like to see a blog on "what's happening" in DC. I've always found the web sites on DC events cumbersome. I would like to see a blog, not with a complete list of events, but a listing of important events annotated by those with interest. For example, what's doing at the Smithsonian and why it's important, lecture series at some think tank, a major speech by a world respected author that hasn't gotten too much pub, etc. An eclectic, annotated listing.

Posted by DOHTALKS@hotmail.com on May 15, 2008 at 08:24 AM EDT #

a lot of this stuff is already being done. Elizabeth, check out ohmygov.com for information gathering.

If you want to make a difference, since this is a government blog, you guys should be talking about what's happening in government. Who is making change? How are the doing it? How are things improving/not improving? You have the inside scoop; use it.

Posted by seniorexec on May 15, 2008 at 12:17 PM EDT #

we need help getting a grant to build a indoor 7 lane pistol and 5 lane archery range. we have the property zoned commerical. the building will be open to the public and handicap accessible. archery outside for beginners and hunters. three class rooms to be used for teaching the property use of hand guns & archery. all teachers will be certified. the range has two sections one for class rooms, office, utility room, rest rooms, displays, signin and a waiting area. the shooting range is 7 lanes police qualifed distance 75 feet. the entrance comes into a observation room with a glass front. the range is built of solid concret walls, floor and ceiling soundproofing, air and noise control set by osha and epa. 10% of all profit will go back into our community, boy & girl scouts, 4H club, community center and etc.

Posted by boyd1936@bellsouth.net on May 15, 2008 at 02:40 PM EDT #

If your organization is seeking a grant, you should check out grants.gov, the official source where you can find and apply for a grant from the federal government. But if you or someone you know is in need, the government has loads of assistance programs that might help - they’re just not often referred to as “grants.” There are programs to help with heating bills or starting a business or health insurance for children and much more. Check out government benefits and financial assistance information on USA.gov at http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Benefits.shtml

Posted by Joanne on May 15, 2008 at 03:00 PM EDT #

highly suggest that homeowners learn to raise their own crops at home so that as the price of fruit and veggies continues to rise,due to oil prices,that they will survive the coming Depression. suggest that a series of free publications be promulgated by the Govt. so that those people that are smart enough to see this sucky future coming,will be at least be able to eat. also,suggest that backyards be turned into veggie gardens. you can live without money, but not without food. this is badly written, but hope that some people willheed this warning.i am cassandra.

Posted by cassandra.505@hotmail.com on May 17, 2008 at 10:41 PM EDT #

It's time for this country to put an end to the criminal thugs called politicians that create laws, steal taxpayer dollars, act in their own self interests and fail to serve the public as they are elected to do.

Career politicians such as Ted Kennedy must cease to exist.
Mandatory term limits must be imposed as well as tougher guidelines with
oversight.

Forget political correctness, stop being afraid to offend minority groups
as well as foreign nationals and put some teeth into government policy
that will benefit the US citizens that deserve and need it.

Forget globalism. To hell with other nations and economies.
Close down the borders. Create, distribute and grow on our own soil
and factories.

Stop spending the country blind trying to help those who take our money and then spit in our face.

Take the Iraqi Oil by force and bring it home or at least force them to pay
for the war's cost in blood and money with oil.

Don't forget the dead and wounded men and women who suffer while
serving this great nation everyday.

Posted by patriot warrior on May 20, 2008 at 08:00 AM EDT #

i recently had a severe injury and had just been dropped from vetrans benifits.i was on medicare but it did not cover much since didin't have part b. i recieved bills from anesthist that totalled >$3600.00 when they found out i didn't have insurance they reduced the bill $360.00! if there is that much mark up no wonder insurance is so high. also when i lost the veterns benifits my drugs went down by more than 60%. it appears that you could do better negotiating your own payments if there was no mandated insurance and less government interference!

Posted by almann55@hotmail.com on May 22, 2008 at 01:39 PM EDT #

I used to be behind our Federal Government 100%. That is until I found out what liers they were. The President and Social Sec urity made it plain that the IRS would not keep or block any one from recieving a rebate check. Yet, they are doing nothing to stop the IRS from keep these checks for people who owe back taxes. Once again the IRS is allowed to do as they please and the American Public be damed. How is any citizen supposed to belive in a government that is made up of nothing but liers and buracrats that, only, care about people who have money?

Posted by ladywriter on June 26, 2008 at 07:53 AM EDT #

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