The British, those that that existed circa 1776, were merely competent “administrators”. The America of 2023 certainly puts them to shame. The proto-Americans of 1776, on the other hand, were not as complacent as we are today. Here what the Declaration of Independence had to say about the their bureaucrats and King: He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.