I'm with you on that one. The USG could/should be providing better data in more usable formats, offering more online services, and being much more creative. Unfortunately - and I can say this as a former USG employee - the governemnt (maybe all governments) seems to better attract mild-mannered, "follow the rules" types focused on implementing someone else's decision, than really being creative.

CATO has a lot to say about this - have a look at http://cato.org if you're curious.