[buran77]

> Not really sure ANY government service runs well

I don't think you have perspective on that. What I'm telling you is that it can be a lot worse. I don't think you realize how much less accountable any private company is and that if you are ever ruled by one you will effectively be under a very abusive dictatorship, for all intents and purposes.

Random example. Google can cut you off from everything Google related and then some (identity, data, purchases, anything external that was linked to Google identity, etc.) with no recourse or justification. How often does the Government do that to you?

It's very easy to complaint when you've never seen the worse alternatives. How many people alive in US today do you think have even lived under them?

[mindslight]

I've got this theory that people think government service must be so terrible because it was poor compared to corporate service in the 80's (the Golden Age of Boomerism), corporate service shamelessly got so much worse, and they simply assume government service must also have.

I've called the federal government a handful of times (IRS, Savings Bonds, Social Security). The people I spoke with were knowledgeable and empowered. A bit comic promulgating bureaucracy and delays (I think I was once told something like oh your case is only 10 days late being processed so it's not a priority yet), and of course some wait on hold/callback game. But the people I would end up speaking to had my paperwork in front of them, readily answered questions in an intelligent manner, and were empowered to make binding decisions for the government.

There was none of the "your ticket is still open so the only thing I can do is add a note that you called", or "sorry you've reached the wrong department, I can transfer you" buck passing bullshit that permeates corporate phone mazes. It was actually a breath of fresh air compared to dealing with corporate banks and financial institutions (at Vanguard I was told I had reached the wrong department, transferred, and waited on hold again five times before reaching the "correct" department).

I've also represented myself on the phone to my state's tax authority, and they were eminently reasonable as well. On the scheduled phone call (with me, their agent, and his supervisor), we agreed to an amicable solution on the spot. (I had really wanted to hire an attorney but they all played the equivocation game!)

[at-fates-hands]

>> It's very easy to complaint when you've never seen the worse alternatives.

I have relatives that fled the USSR during the heights of communism. I have played soccer with guys who came from South American countries that were mired in Civil War. Two of my best friends fled South Asia during the Pol Pot regime.

Its interesting you tell me I have no perspective without even knowing who I am or what I've experienced in my life. To judge someone like this is pretty offensive.

I'm keenly aware of how dictatorships work. I've heard and seen what an abusive government is capable of. I have yet to see the abuses people I know fled from happen here in the US.

>> How often does the Government do that to you?

Your short term memory must not be very good:

"If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor."

"If you like your plan, you can keep your plan."

"Take this vaccine or you're going to lose your job."

"This is the govt, you need to remove posts that we don't like."

"We couldn't come to an agreement on a budget so the government is shut down until further notice."

https://mailomg.com/2025/09/17/opinion-the-good-the-bad-and-...

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