You have a lot more faith in the ability of government to turn money into progress than I do. The exact same corrupt policies of farming out money to political connections for the F-35 program, resulting in marginal services/products, is what will happen in nearly every local government.
I'm becoming more and more convinced that we're coasting on the infrastructure of the past and aren't really capable of organizing successful new projects that aren't destined to fail from all the corruption.
I think part of the problem is this fatalist attitude that government cannot be fixed. I would like to vote for candidates that promise, not more government or less government, but better government. It's our government, we can fix it, but we have to want to fix it.
I second this, although I cant vote. With a couple of war tours experience there is not a chance she Pavlov's into any military industrial complex shenanigans. If she doesn't succeed this time, she will be ready next election round. She would be example for girls growing up around the world.
Faith in the US govt, I think you mean. Government is remarkably effective at turning money into progress in the Netherlands. (Not that citizens don't complain incessantly)
It seems correlated to the "size" (population and density) of the nation? Neglecting nations in a fast-paced social/political transition, most effective governments are active in "small" nations (including politically decentralized ones).
Is the correct effectiveness metric the number of people involved or the outcomes for the people served by that government? I don't really care how big/small our government is if everyone is experiencing a high quality of life.
I think part of the problem is apathy to get involved. There's so much that can be done at the local level that can affect things. Our mayor holds an annual meeting with each of the four wards of the city. Just this week the mayor said that last year a total of 350 people attended those meetings. That's 350 out of 52,000. For a once a year meeting to learn about what the city is planning on doing and to give your feedback.
The democratic process has been captured by a corrupt machine ala Tammany Hall in my city. The state government has been captured by a single party. There is not a lot one can do to foster change. If you pay to play or are part of an equally corrupt neighborhood association you could influence change. Every five years or so the feds make an arrest but the machine keeps running.
Depends on what your expectations are. The F-35 will work well eventually. All the promises for meeting high expectations on timing and budget are being kneecapped along the way though.
I'm becoming more and more convinced that we're coasting on the infrastructure of the past and aren't really capable of organizing successful new projects that aren't destined to fail from all the corruption.