Public Data: power in our hands

Public data is the language of government as it determines government benefits, grants for states and communities, and the rationale for legislation. While many people dislike working with data, becoming comfortable dealing with data is important for citizens who want to play a substantive role in government rather than just participate in campaigns. The rise of Web 2.0 provides an opportunity for citizens to both access and understand government data in order to become empowered and involved in shaping government.