They ARE heavily taxed measured as a percentage of income. Thats part of what keeps them poor. If a country keeps its people from getting rich, the country will stay poor. Imagine that.
Data please.
Yes we were. Do I have to teach a history class here? Why did people emigrate to America? Freedom was part of it, but from the colonial era on America was generally more prosperous than anywhere in the old world.
I don't know that's true, but it's not what you said. You said "we" were richer then than now. I don't believe that but you are welcome to prove it too me with some data.
What good does the Dept of Energy do?
Mission & Functions
Provides advice and assistance to the Secretary of Energy and other senior managers to ensure that information technology is acquired and information resources are managed in a manner that implements the policies and procedures of legislation, including the Paperwork Reduction Act and the Clinger-Cohen Act; and the priorities established by the Secretary. Coordinates and articulates a shared vision and corporate perspective among the Department's information activities and champions Departmental initiatives to effectively manage information and to provide for corporate systems that add value to the businesses of the Department. Ensures that information created and collected by the Department is provided to internal and external customers and stakeholders in a timely, cost-effective and efficient manner.
Establishes, implements, and maintains a comprehensive and effective cyber/computer security program to protect the Department's classified and unclassified information and information technology assets.
Defines and implements policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure efficient, economical and effective IM planning, acquisition, and management in support of Department of Energy missions and objectives.
Promotes effective Departmental operations by encouraging performance-based management and where appropriate, facilitates the restructure of mission related processes before making significant information technology (IT) investments to improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of the Department's information management activities.
The Chief Information Officer (CIO):
Formulates and articulates a vision of the Department's information management (IM) activities aligned with the Department's strategic plan and mission.
Assesses the Department's Program and Business Offices capabilities, in the context of their strategic and tactical plans, to meet their information and information technology requirements and their mission objectives and goals.
Establishes standards and guidelines to maximize information and information system integration.
Monitors oversight and audit activities to ensure appropriate and cost-effective information protection measures are applied to the information and information technology assets.
Provides assistance and guidance in cyber/computer security to all Departmental elements.
Coordinates planning for major information and information technology investments and assists in the development and application of programmatic performance measures for those investments.
Advocates the creation, collection and use of information as a corporate asset.
Champions the strategic information management (SIM) program for the Department as required by the Clinger-Cohen Act.
Supports Departmental offices in the use of information technology in business re-engineering efforts.
Champions corporate systems and the maintenance of the Department's information infrastructure.
Develops and issues information management (IM) policies which promote best business practices while complying with applicable laws and regulations. Tracks headquarters and field implementation.
Establishes, maintains and assesses mechanisms for: 1) managing information investments; 2) assessing performance and results; and 3) sharing lessons learned throughout the Department.
Serves as the key advocate for information technology (IT) capital planning and investment.
Provides advice and assistance to the Departmental IM community.
Provides for IM and IT systems support and operations for the Departmental Headquarters, and others upon request.
Provides leadership and services to ensure secure, efficient, and effective quality life-cycle management of information needed to support the diverse missions of the Department.
Advances information technologies which are critical to Departmental programs, energy strategies, and the national interest.
Develops policies, plans, budget, and standards; and provides services, consultation, and implementation of appropriate technologies to support Departmental IM activities in a cost-effective manner and in accordance with public law and applicable regulations. |
