I regularly look to government sites for data (data.gov, 1-844-USAGOV1, et al) and when unable to locate what I am looking for, ask my elected officials for help. Here are some of the questions that I have asked but have yet to get answers. Some are just of interest to me, and others are ones we should all know and readily available. Admittedly, some of these are beyond governmental overview but maybe they should be part of a dataset.
- What percentage of those filing federal taxes pay no net federal tax? (taxes withheld/paid minus transfer payments)
- What is the precise number of outstanding debt obligations of the federal government? (Treasury notes, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, other)
- How many people living in the United States and its territories are American citizens?
- Is there an accurate count of the number of people residing in the 50 United States and District of Columbia? What is the number and how calculated?
- How many non-citizens receive any federal assistance? How much federal money in total is spent on non-citizens?
- What is the total number of federal employees and by age cohort? (When will they retire?)
- How many federal employees are graduates of Harvard? Yale? Princeton?
- When elected officials conduct meetings where food and/or drinks are served, who pays for the food and drinks?
- What is the net worth of elected officials on their first day in office and then, on their last day? 5 years later?
So much for government transparency. Without facts on which to base positions, it is difficult to have reasoned discussions. You cannot deny someone’s feelings if that is the basis of their argument. Only real facts should hold sway. Getting to facts should be straightforward and simple. Try for yourself.
Current Day Publius 