James Q. Wilson, in his book Bureaucracy, compares the plight of a Registry of Motor Vehicles manager who wants to improve service with that of a McDonald’s franchise manager. If the registry manager want to invest in new equipment or more clerks, he has to convince the legislature. But individual legislators will not benefit if lines get shorter and customers are happier at one registry (or even at all registries). So why should they pay the political price of raising taxes or fees-or taking money away from some other agency-to spend more at the registry? The McDonald’s franchise, in contrast, will earn more if its lines get shorter and its service faster. So its manger can easily justify the investment, and its owners will eagerly make the investment. Unfortunately, Wilson omits the punch line: if registries received their funds according to how many customers they served, like McDonald’s restaurants do, they might act like McDonald’s.