Government 2.0

So I have to admit that I was at a loss for a Web 2.0 subject to blog about. So before I pulled out the soapbox I had some searching to do. While scanning Google queries I came across a website that the US Government has dedicated to Web 2.0 Tools and how the Government and USA.gov is trying to stay current and implement these technologies. The main page for this website has a limited listing of services that the federal government has exposed for the savvy Web 2.0 user to take advantage. Under the "USA.gov 2.0 Tools" heading I found a few interesting sites that I think would younger and older users alike.

Gov Gab Blog – "Gov Gab's six bloggers share tips and information from the federal government to help you make life a little simpler. Read along each weekday and comment and share your own experiences."

Government News –"Get the latest RSS feeds from across the federal government."

USA.gov on Twitter – "Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest official government news and information."

Web Chat – Web Chat – Live personal assistance now available weekdays from 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM Eastern Time

The twitter posting and web chat features stood out to me the most. If the federal government took true advantage of these features instead of a cursory attempt at making these a viable tool I truly believe that they could be very useful. The Twitter tool could be useful for constituents to keep track of what their government representative is thinking and how there are dealing with issues on the hill. In this new age of "open" government, this would go along way to earning the trust of your voters. It will also be a good tool for maintaining accountability.

The web chat feature is another tool that could help with open government. Being able to "speak" directly to a representative of a government service that you need help from would be a great service. It is a self documenting conversation that the user can maintain on their computer.

Under the "Government-Wide 2.0 Tools" header there were two other utilities that I found could be useful if implemented in the right way.

'Podcasts from the U.S. Government – Listen to podcasts from across the government."

Videos from the U.S. Government – "Links to public domain videos that may be used and reproduced without permission or fee."

These two could be powerful tools for voters to get information without the outside influence of the news media. Raw unedited footage from the hill would go along way to helping the voter wade through the opinionated garbage of commercial funding seeking show host such as Rush Limbaugh and overly liberal show host.

Well the soapbox didn't get too opinionated this time but I'm sure I will see someone updating their facebook status using their handheld device while driving home and eating a whooper and putting on makeup. Just give it time. Off to the gym......again!