Larry Downes, a best-selling tech author known for examining technology's societal impacts, tackles the inefficiencies of the federal government. He questions the necessity of numerous Social Security offices and highlights the dismal 12% user satisfaction with user services. Advocating for e-government solutions, Downes explores international models from Estonia and Denmark, emphasizing digital transformation's potential to streamline bureaucracy while addressing political roadblocks. He argues this modernization could enhance transparency and efficiency without privatizing essential services.