A Cursory Excursion through the US Federal Web Portal - Case Study Example

A Cursory Excursion through the U.S. Federal Web Portal The Federal Government’s official web portal, www.firstgov.gov, is daunting upon first viewing. The organizational divisions alone, covering all three federal branches, as well as state, local and tribal options, calls to mind a massive series of phone books for every department across the country. The sheer odds alone of trying to track down and speak with an individual from this mass of information amount to the proverbial needle in the haystack, or worse, what if the individual is stereotypical of previous personal frustrations? If renewing a driver’s license can tie up an entire afternoon, what is the likelihood that someone will call or e-mail back in a timely fashion? Fortunately, this has been taken into account as far as the site is concerned: everything is categorized into generalities as much as possible, then broken down further and further into specifics and cross-referenced back and forth exponentially. Still, there remains the uncomfortable parallel to automated phone systems, which all too often will provide one with every option but the necessary connection. How does the federal website compare to these and other comparable information sites? Well… to view the federal government’s claims, one need only click onto the About Us connection. This link opens to a long list of self-promotions, beginning with a statement of the site’s policy, or “vision”, which is described as a “…catalyst for a growing electronic government.” while boasting more connections to government sites than any commercial sites on the internet. This is certainly a comforting thought: the government has enough control of its own accessibility that there are certain safeguards to prevent inappropriate meddling. The site is proclaimed to be owned by the citizens of the United States, much like the ideals behind our federal government, which can be taken in either a patriotic or cynical manner, depending on one’s personal inclination. More plausible is the logic behind the site’s implied development as a response to the events of September 11th, 2001: a PR campaign to portray the government as acting quickly to improve security. This lends an aura of paranoia to the site, as though George Orwell’s Big Brother is looming over the average citizen’s shoulder as they peruse the electronic pages… To see other ways in which the government reacts, one can click the America Responds to Terrorism link. Here is a listing of related sites, such as 9/11 commemoration events, how to protect yourself , personnel locators, travel safety, humanitarian organizations and information about Iraq. To “Protect yourself”, one should have a clear idea of what to ask, as the link itself leads to a long list of the last five years of headlines, from mail handling of biological threats to disaster preparedness and learning more about terrorism. The bio-threat anthrax scare is mentioned - regulations are hinted at as hiding in the library - but nothing is mentioned about the CDC having to limit its reactions to these scares. Too many false attacks were proving too expensive. On the other hand, the “Ready yourself” for emergency link connects you directly to the office of Homeland Security, who very sensibly lists warning signs of exposure to chemical threats… although if animals were really dying all around someone, what realistic chances are still available to them? Identifying the contaminated area and removing oneself or finding a “safe-area” is just good common sense, and, although it might sound callous, probably a part of Darwinism in action. The duct-taped garbage bags over windows are not mentioned, possibly as too close a reminder to the “duck and cover” sagacity of the Cuban Missile Crisis, yet if the most obvious suggestions are being mentioned, shouldn’t such items still be listed somewhere? Although perhaps some consideration is due here. In event of an actual pressing emergency, few people would take the time to access this website, relying instead either on training or some disaster guide stowed away in the emergency kit. Fortunately, the “Ready Yourself” site does have a number of sites for such directions, complete with possible and versatile equipment, the importance of planning and trained drills, and so forth. So everyone is now capable of being prepared for an emergency. How about recovering from one? The home site is the starting point for all searches, divided as it is into four main types of searches: for Citizens, for Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations, for Federal Employees, and lastly for Government-to- Government, i.e. between federal, state, or tribal. While it may be true that the last three are necessary to the general functioning, regulation and interaction of our society, the first option for Citizens will undoubtedly be the most useful resource, as it will apply to all legal residents rather than the categorized few. As such, perhaps a closer examination of the Hurricane Recovery link (listed under the News and Features area) is in order. After clicking on the connection, one discovers that it is actually a short cut directly to the Hurricane Recovery site, which is itself a subcategory of the Public Safety and Law under the general category of Topics for Citizens. This is considerate, as the refugees of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have certainly suffered enough frustrations in the past few months. The first links are by far the most immediately important: there are no less than eight links to assist in tracking down refugees. The first option is a connection to the Red Cross site, which allows evacuees to register for tracking purposes and to allow their family and friends to contact them. People are encouraged to check often, as updates continue to be added, but are also warned that the information might not be the most accurate and up-to-date since relocation continues. Most importantly, the survivors’ status is established by the mere fact that they have contacted and registered with the Red Cross. Other links below the initial Red Cross site allow people to locate missing children, former employers, nursing home evacuees, and similar relations now scattered across the country. The government has realized the importance of these location systems and therefore listed them first, but beneath these are links to sites that help the evacuees re-establish their lives: how to get help and various shelters available. Undoubtedly, the most important of these is the connection to FEMA’s homepage. The FEMA homepage helps refugees to receive emergency funds and is helping to contribute to the rebuilding of the areas struck by the hurricanes. There is an obligatory amount of PR posted at the beginning of the website, but seeing that FEMA bore the brunt of the blame both before and after the storms struck, it is only natural that they promote some of the good work they are accomplishing. Aside from necessary connections with which survivors can establish federal aid, several new update links estimate the status of and of reconstruction and storm-preventative engineering. Going further down the Hurricane recovery site, volunteer locations are accessible, as well as a CDC link with tips for natives who have returned to the disaster zone about sanitation, water contamination and water damage hazards. In general, the Hurricane Recovery site is impressive in its thoroughness; the only misleading link is the most frequently asked questions link at the bottom, which does have some relief connections but seems to be more of a connection back to the general labyrinth. Still, any hurricane survivor who can get access to a computer can find either answers to many of their questions or at least 800 numbers through which they can call the offices directly. The www.firstgov.gov web portal seems to be flexible in its access, and informative to people when they desperately need to reorganize their lives. To put the system to the test, a hypothetical situation is needed; not one extremely improbable, but rather slightly unusual yet still what could amount to an average citizen’s problem. An engaged New York couple are plan to marry in Raleigh, North Carolina, due to family located there. How would they go about getting a marriage license? Would there be any other technicalities involved? The first place to start would be on the home page, where fortunately there is a search engine available to help narrow down the possibilities. The search of “marriage licenses + Raleigh, NC” reveals 81 links out of a possible 181, but fortunately one of these sites initially listed is a shortcut to “Frequently Asked Questions - Wake County Register of Deeds”. This link leads to the site of that name, which has a table of content shortcuts to the answers listed lower on the page. The first question asked is the main one - what steps must be taken to get married? Prior to the ceremony, one must procure a license from the North Carolina Register of Deeds office. An appointment is not necessary to get the license, but the ceremony must be held within 60 days limit or the license expires. Marriage licenses are issued for $50, cash only, and only between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. The ceremony may be conducted by either a magistrate or religious official, then a web link is given for more information, as well as a phone number. The next common question is who to contact about a civil ceremony, which is answered immediately: the ceremony costs $20 across the street at the Courthouse. Two courtrooms are listed, as well as the times in which the ceremonies are performed - again, no appointment is necessary. A phone number is posted if further assistance is needed. Likewise, the Wake County Public Safety Center can accommodate any weekend or evening services. Copies of the wedding license are available 10 days following the ceremony: $10 for a certified copy; $.15 for an uncertified copy. The web link last mentioned leads to a specific wedding licenses page. The requirements are as follows: both parties must be physically present. A physical is not required, nor must they be residents of the area. Parties over 21 must present some form of valid legal identification (Driver’s license, State-issued I.D., Passport, Birth Certificate, or Military I.D.) while those under 21 need only have a Birth Certificate. Those 16 or 17 must have the Birth Certificates and a written Parental Consent. Those 14 or 15 must possess a District Judge’s certified court order authorizing the marriage. Both parties must present their Social Security numbers and verification. The verification may be via a W-2 form, a pay stub with the number printed on it, or the Social Security card itself. While the last page mentioned some of the process involved for a name change, this page points out that a certified copy of the license is necessary for any name change. It also notes that no appointments are accepted at the Wake County Public Safety Center - it is a first come, first served basis only. For name changes to Driver’s Licenses or Social Security Cards, customers are referred to the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Social Security Administration, respectively. There is a link at the bottom of the page by which the wedding application may be filled out and submitted, but this does not negate the necessity of the couple appearing physically to apply officially (there is also an option to get a Spanish translation of the form). The marriage application itself is standard residency for both groom and bride, with the only unusual questions being the level of education reached by each, which marriage is this for each, i.e. first, second, et cetera, and Parental names and residencies. The country of birth is asked about all concerned. These seem to be the main requirements needed to have a marriage performed in Raleigh, North Carolina. The initial page brought up by the original search question does have some other links listed to the left side of the page. These links seem to relate to administrative offices in general, although one site relates to birth certificates outside of the marriage and one site to blood… which restricts marriages between those related to each other by blood. As long as such problems are not issues for the couple, there should be no problem, provided they show up and have the appropriate amount of money. The Federal Government’s official web portal at www.firstgov.gov seems capable of handling most questions asked of it, although how long a process it is really depends on how specific the search can be. The cross-references seem endless; an entire Federal Department would be needed to keep track of everything. This is the only concern of the system: it certainly makes most of the bureaucracy much easier to expedite, but can it ever be truly secure? Aside from the general paranoia of the federal government keeping track of its citizens, especially after all of the wire tapping controversy, but if the government could do that, isn’t it possible someone outside the system could break into a “secure” area? With any luck, the very size of the monolithic data base may prove too difficult to surmount - the information is there, but America buffers it thoroughly with what it knows best… bureaucracy. If the red tape leads to enough knots, perhaps violators can be snipped into isolation. Works Cited FIRSTGOV.GOV: The U.S. Government’s Web Portal. Office of Citizen Services and Communications, U.S. General Services Administration, 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405. Read More