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In his talk at RailsConf 2011, Dan Melton, CTO for Code for America, discusses the intersection of technology and government through the initiatives of Code for America. The organization aims to recruit passionate coders and engineers to improve government services by leveraging their skills to create open-source applications.

Key points covered include:

- **Code for America’s Mission**: Melton explains that Code for America seeks to create a large army of 'citizen coders' to help modernize and enhance governmental operations. The organization pairs tech talent with local governments to tackle inefficiencies in public service.

- **Fellowship Program**: He describes the fellowship program that invites individuals to dedicate a year to work on open-source projects within government, resulting in a significant interest with 360 applications for just 20 spots in the program.

- **Improving Bureaucracy**: Melton shares anecdotes about challenges faced when interacting with bureaucracies, such as the DMV, highlighting the need for tech innovation to streamline processes and improve user experiences.

- **Recruitment and Community Engagement**: He discusses the importance of engaging the Ruby and Rails communities to participate in government. He encourages Ruby developers to apply for fellowships, indicating that Rails is becoming increasingly adopted by government agencies.

- **Political Engagement through Technology**: Melton also addresses the Ruby community’s past hesitation to engage politically and emphasizes the importance of using their tools and platforms for social change. He draws parallels between the Ruby community and political movements, like the Tea Party, suggesting that both have the potential to mobilize passionate individuals for a cause.

- **Future Vision**: The talk concludes with Melton's vision for the future where government services are effectively powered by modern technology and coding practices, making them more accessible and efficient for every citizen.

This presentation illustrates the significant impact tech professionals can have on public service and encourages community members to step up and take an active role in government improvements.

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