Are all issues being handled online now? Yes, for the most part.
We can quickly file our taxes online or handle government business via web cams. Although, easy access to online material that can help run our lives faster is accessible, is it really handling government issues?
If the government is using the Internet to better facilitate the process of anything, maybe things aren't really being thought through as much as they should. The faster we handle a situation and move on to the next. The less time we're spending on it or so I think.
Not only are things being handled at rapid speed to move onto the next issue but, privacy issues arise when everything is being recorded. Forever. Did you attend a city hall meeting? Well, we could find out. Are you a city official that didn't think before speaking at the meeting? Too bad. It's on record.
What about the lack of face-to-face time between government officials? Yes, you could send each other messages using the Internet but, you can't edit your thoughts again and again before clicking send. An email is forever.
There are a vast amount of pros and cons. I remember when going through the naturalization process meant people had to stand in line at an office for hard copy applications. Those individuals missed work without pay. Now, they can go to: http://http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=d84d6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextoid=d84d6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD
Grab any form and fill it out at their own convenience, no need to miss work.
Below is an article written in 2000 speaking about e-Government. It has come a long way but, is it helping or not? Write your comments below.
http://www.allbusiness.com/sales/internet-e-commerce/675336-1.html
4 comments:
Nancy that is so true about all form being online now. My dad just had to apply for the naturalization process and most of it was done online. On one hand it was great because I never had to leave my house to help him do it over the internet, but at the same time all of his infomation is now online submitted to a website that I am sure an expeienced hacker can break into and take all of my dad's information.
I really don't agree with Egovernment but I guess if you can't beat them join them.
Yes, almost everything can be done online these days, but the most important parts of every process are still being handled in person. using the same example you used on your post, the process of becoming a citizen: Yes, the forms and everything else can be downloaded online but, the important steps, such as the interview and also the day of the Pledge of Allegiance.
I feel conflicted as to whether or not having these services available online is helping us or not. It is definitely convenient... but is it safe? I don't think any online service can be done with a 100% guarantee that it wont be accessed in an inappropriate way. But the times are changing so it is inevitable that one day all services will be available online.
Indeed everything is being done via Internet now. And the crazy part is - it is very easy for people to hack into our account and get information on us. More importantly - private information that the end user should only know about. I believe that some things should be handled in person - while others should not be. Even some government official websites should be more secured then how they are now. It seems to easy to hack them. But whatever makes me people's lives more easier, they will always take that route.
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