Strange that we haven't had such federal govt inside info sharing sites before. This should be standard.

You mean something like the United States Office of Special Counsel? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Office_of_Specia...

That would have been a two part function:

- a transparent government making data and policy algorithms readily available

- an independent media doing unbiased analysis

How things arrived instead at a mess of propaganda is left as an exercise for the reader.

"If they really wanted to know how to use technology to build a more efficient country, they would ask us."

What a powerful statement.

Safely and securely share information that the public deserves to know. Together, we can shine a light on hidden truths and foster a more informed and engaged society. Stand for transparency, stand for truth.

We really tend to miss that 90% of federal workers have forsaken massive financial opportunities to work at the federal government. Most of them are doing it because they truly believe they can improve the world by sacrificing their personal enrichment (within reason).

You can see this on full display in the federal reserve. There is no one that the federal reserve would hire who cannot get 10x the pay working in The private sector.

I work for a government agency (not in the US). Working in private would have certainly made me more money but I really love the ample time off (4 extra weeks compared to a similar private-sector role) that we get which allows me to focus more on family and personal persuits. Additionally deadlines are pretty much non-existent as projects can drag on for years.

I realise that this might not be a good environment for ambitious people, however it pays the bills and I get to do whatever I want with my time.

How do you know the motivations of "most" federal workers?

>There is no one that the federal reserve would hire who cannot get 10x the pay working in The private sector.

I'm sort of skeptical. Perhaps they are not receiving direct salary, but reaping other benefits. I don't mind if this comment is downvoted either.

Am I being overly paranoid to wonder if this is a honeypot?

'Disloyalty' today may land you in a gulag tomorrow.

I'm not sure that there is that much forethought. Perhaps?

However, you don't even need a honeypot - for example, Saddam Hussein's purge.

(I'm not a political or historical scholar, so it's entirely possible there are details or nuances I'm not aware of or don't fully understand, but it's what came to mind when I read this.)

What is terrifying is that your comment actually makes a great deal of sense. In 21st century America. World’s oldest democracy, and a former beacon of light of the Free World.

It's literally difficult for me to conceptualize the current situation in the federal government. My knee-jerk 'that sounds crazy so I'll reject it out of hand' circuit is so strong that it's hard to override it with rational thought.

It'd be like seeing Santa come out of my fireplace on Christmas eve. Rationally, I think I'd have to start believing in Santa, but I don't think my brain would let me.

The chilling effect is real, and whether you are loyal or just afraid to be thought disloyal, you fall in line so the ones in power don’t care.