If we want to get the best human outcomes from our public services,
why aren’t we using the best methods of providing them?
Most public services are
provided through voluntary action.
Voluntary action is motivated by both mutual interest and kindness. The mutual interest is obvious whenever we buy, sell or trade something. The kindness is obvious whenever a friend or organization provides help.
Much of this action is organized through companies and charities.
These organizations have to earn the money they spend by providing what they promise to provide.
Less than one-quarter of all money spent on TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(providing financial assistance for food, shelter, and utilities), goes to its intended recipients.
Not all public services are
provided this way.
Some public services are provided by the government, which doesn’t have to earn the money it spends. Its guaranteed revenue allows waste, poor outcomes and even corruption to go uncorrected over long periods.
In the worst cases, this creates victims at both ends.
Since we usually don’t identify – let alone direct our resources to – the best methods of providing public services, we create victims on both ends. Taxpayers pay more than necessary to provide the intended benefits to their communities. Users of public services and those who need social and economic support get much less than they otherwise would have for all the time and money spent on them.
In the worst cases, this creates victims at both ends.
Since we usually don’t identify – let alone direct our resources to – the best methods of providing public services, we create victims on both ends. Taxpayers pay more than necessary to provide the intended benefits to their communities. Users of public services and those who need social and economic support get much less than they otherwise would have for all the time and money spent on them.
We Do Better
We the People, unlike government, can only keep attracting resources for the purpose of helping others if we provide the outcomes that justify them. That is why, whenever We the People provide public services, so often, We Do Better.
Right now, in your community, there are organizations, groups, and people that are already doing just that.
We Do even Better when we identify them, help those who need their help get in touch with them, and direct more resources their way.
We need to start measuring our compassion by the good that we do – not the strength of our intentions or the money we spend doing more of the same things. That means using our resources in the most effective ways that deliver the best human outcomes.
That’s how We Do Better.
The Latest.
The We Do Better movement’s progress throughout America.
California Becomes First State in the Nation to Introduce We Do Better Legislation
Only three months into the new year and We Do Better (an organization that is less than six months old) has already taken a giant leap in the advancement of its signature legislation, the Universal Charitable Credit (UCC).
Downsize DC Backs We Do Better’s Universal Charitable Credit
For the first time in seven years, Downsize DC has thrown its weight behind a new piece of federal legislation: We Do Better’s Universal Charitable Credit.
“We Do Better” Helps Communities Find and Fund the Best Ways of Providing Public Services
We Do Better, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization is launching today in an effort to maximize the quality and accessibility of public services across America.
From “Tax Revolution Institute” to We Do Better
A tax revolution has to be also a public services revolution for the better. From today, the Tax Revolution Institute is reincarnated as We Do Better.
