Mission for DOGE: Word limits could revolutionize government efficiency

It's time for a radical, but simple, reform: implementing word limits to ensure brevity and clarity across government processes.

Modern governance is drowning in words. At over 6,000 pages, the U.S. tax code is a prime example of how excessive complexity creates inefficiency. In the last 50 years, the IRS code has grown from 1.5 million words to nearly 10 million today. Regulations from federal agencies often span thousands of pages, rife with jargon that's nearly impossible for the average citizen - or even experts - to decipher.

This tangled web doesn't just slow progress; it breeds distrust. When government is unintelligible, it becomes inaccessible, undermining its legitimacy.

Internationally, countries like New Zealand and Singapore prioritize plain-language laws and regulations, earning them reputations for efficiency and transparency. America can - and should - follow suit.

Skeptics might argue that word limits oversimplify complex issues. But complexity and verbosity are not the same. Word limits wouldn't eliminate nuance; they'd force writers to clarify priorities and sharpen arguments. Excessive detail often obscures more than it reveals.

Additionally, this reform wouldn't be a blunt instrument. Different types of documents - legislation, regulations, court opinions - would have tailored limits to balance brevity with necessity.

The benefits would ripple across the system: faster decisions, lower costs and a government that people can actually understand.

In a time when Americans are increasingly skeptical of government, a move toward brevity and clarity could rebuild trust. 

Sometimes, fewer words speak louder. Let's start counting.