"As much as Reinventing Government is about the nuts and bolts of government, it is also about the soul and spirit of self-government. I believe we must create more than effective government agencies -- we must create a country and economy that are strong and vibrant and equipped for the challenges of change. And at the same time, we must create a new trust and faith in our people, and in each other."

"In the past 8 years, we created the smallest government since John Kennedy was President." - Al Gore

Through his Reinventing Government initiative, Al Gore has helped transform government into a catalyst for new ideas. Government now stresses both opportunity and responsibility, and gives our people the tools they need to solve their own problems in their own communities. Al Gore knows that government works best when it focuses on results and allows flexibility to make government work for the people it serves. As President, Gore will continue his efforts to reinvent government - to eliminate federal waste and inefficiency and to make government cost less and work better. And he will make nearly all government services available on the Internet - because Americans should be able to take care of business on-line, and not have to waste their time waiting in line.

REINVENTING GOVERNMENT: CONTINUING THE PROGRESS OF THE PAST SEVEN YEARS

• Best practices from the private sector. Al Gore has worked hard to use the best, most innovative management techniques from the private sector to make government smaller, smarter, and more responsive. His goal is to lead the federal government out of the Industrial Age and into the Information Age, as well as to set a strong example of fiscal responsibility.
• Increased level of trust in government. Improving customer service and reinventing government increases the level of trust Americans place in their government. Surveys show that since the early days of reinvention in 1994, trust levels have nearly doubled. Last year, the results of the first-ever customer satisfaction survey of government services showed that several agencies are already delivering services equal to or better than 'the best in business.' Electronic government will only accelerate our progress.

AL GORE'S PLAN TO CREATE AN E-GOVERNMENT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY:

Al Gore proposes creating an E-Government where Americans interact with their government by going on-line, not waiting in line. Over the Internet, the American people can get what they need from government, when they need it, with fewer bureaucratic hassles, headaches, and delays. But E-Government has the potential to do even more than that for our country. With the right leadership, the power of information technology can create a government that empowers each citizen and gives them new levels of access to their government. Gore's plan will revitalize the ideals that have animated our democracy since its founding. As President, Al Gore will:

• Put virtually every federal government service on-line by 2003. Under the Gore plan, Americans will be able to, for example, check the purity of their drinking water, find new job opportunities, or determine the quality of nursing home care for an aging parent or loved one. They will be able to apply for a Social Security number, ask to participate in a clinical medical trial, or pay their student loan online. Under this proposal, a virtual government field office will be available to all Americans - 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the convenience of the citizen.
• Create a more accountable and effective federal government. The Gore plan will require agencies to put progress reports on-line, so every American can see what has been achieved, and where government has fallen short. This "Interactive Town Square" will empower Americans to respond with suggestions on what actions need to be taken to improve the effectiveness and quality of government services. Armed with this information, citizens will also be able to work directly with others who share the same interest, for example, in their neighborhood veteran's health care clinic or planning their community's disaster preparation strategy.
• Make the federal government more efficient and less expensive. Under the Gore plan, the government will save the taxpayers tens of billions of dollars by letting all buyers compete for government business on the Internet in "real time" auctions. In addition, the Gore plan will create a new on-line government auction site - "G-Bay" - to sell off equipment the government no longer needs. The savings will be used to produce even greater efficiency, more savings and better services for the taxpayers.
• Ensure that E-Government is accessible, easy for families to use, and protects Americans privacy. Under the Gore plan, the federal government will work in partnership with the private sector to provide a free digital key to any citizen who wants to connect with the government on-line. Americans will be able to use these PIN codes to gain information about their Social Security benefits, apply for a home loan, or report a crime in their neighborhood, all while ensuring privacy. As President, Al Gore will protect Americans' privacy - because it must remain a fundamental right, even in the Information age. He will also ensure that people with disabilities can log on and get the special help they need.

Source: Al Gore for President 2000 Web Site