US government services are bad almost across the board. Most of us would pay a premium to use a private version over a government version of almost anything.
I’m guessing you would find it equally confusing if I told you we’d pay a premium to use a private DMV or private post office. Here in the US, that statement wouldn’t be controversial at all.
I recently renewed my global entry, and it was a piece of cake. I occasionally interact with the FCC because of my amateur radio license, and the FRS is super easy to use. I recently got passports for my kids, and that was super easy to do as well and the passports came much faster than expected.
> I recently got passports for my kids, and that was super easy to do as well and the passports came much faster than expected.
Interesting. I am currently renewing my and my spouse’s passports while also trying to get first time passports for my children and I couldn’t find the process more outdated and borderline kafkaesque. If you told me the website was built in 2003 and hasn’t been updated since then I would believe you.
I can only renew my passport by snail mailing everything including my existing passport. I can only get my kids a passport by physically taking them to an approved location for processing. I could not get an appointment for about a month at any location near me. As a bureaucrat myself, I just find this level of hoop jumping to be ridiculous.
I got an appointment within a week. The post office took the pictures and submitted everything for me. Couldn’t have been easier. Sounds like experience varies based on location.
I did a digital renewal for my passport and it was fine also. It’s a once in many year event, so it doesn’t bother me that I need to go to a special place to submit documents.
For a short time (maybe 6 months or so) the state department was testing out fully digital passport renewal. I was able to slip in and it was great, digital phone photo, fill in some forms and I had a new passport in the mail after a couple of weeks (I didn't pay for rush processing).
It was taken down after the pilot for them to adjust and fix the process but there are improvements in the works.
I'm from a third world country and have lived in a few European countries.
Switzerland was the only one with better govt service. Everywhere else it was significantly worse than the US.
Surprisingly France and Germany were worse than India in terms of obscure things needed for getting anything done and no exceptions for anything. The US on the other hand, if you can go talk to someone in person they'll make it happen.
I'm in the US and I find your statement confusing. With the exception of the irs which was deliberately made hard to use by the republicans, most government services are fine. I certainly doubt a corporation would do any better.
DMV varies quite a bit state by state. Where I live it’s quick and easy, but in some places you go early in the morning, and you should probably pack a lunch.
I’m guessing you would find it equally confusing if I told you we’d pay a premium to use a private DMV or private post office. Here in the US, that statement wouldn’t be controversial at all.