Why Government Can't Function Like a Business, Continued

When we compare that with the current process, Canadians are essentially being called upon to convince the minister, Pierre Poilievre, to change his mind when it is already made up - an exercise that is pointless and fruitless.

Not every solution involves a hammer, but the Intelligencer hit the nail on the head here.

Laissez-faire capitalism relies on everyone serving their own selfish interests.  That means those without power, wealth or access tot he levers of government have to push even harder to raise their concerns with those who hold actual clout.

That would be fine if everyone was a sales-oriented predator, but they're not.  Society couldn't function if everyone was an alpha - if we're all selfishly taking and selling, who's providing and developing?  

Rob Ford wants two-stop subways and an island airport expansion, full stop.  He doesn't care about facts that challenge his positions and sees everyone who points out the flaws and gaps of his logic as an opponent.  Push to get ahead, step on those in your way - that's how business works, right? 

The same is true from the opposite direction in the case of John Tory's golf gaffe.  As a boss, Tory expects the people working for him to dedicate some of their precious, paid-for work time pushing him for raises and spending even more scarce personal time sucking up to him on the golf course.  

Instead of, you know, actually visiting them from time to time and seeing what and how they're doing himself.

Tory's version is how our system works, which is why that system is failing.

Leadership isn't about sitting at the top of the hill and fighting off all challengers until someone beats you; it's about building a platform that raises everyone to their maximum potential in a coordinated, efficient way.

Evolution isn't and never has been about survival of the strongest - that's a myth society's aggressive people feel is true and clearly have a stake in perpetuating.  Missing from their equation is the concept of symbiosis - a pretty important feature of any ecosystem that you can miss if you keep your blinders on.

In an ever-changing world, it's that which is best able to adapt (and integrate) which survives.  Where does adaptation come from?  From diversity, including of skills, abilities and perspectives.

Society doesn't and can't work if everyone is competing with each other all the time.  That's why the larger any society grows, the more specialized and collaborative it's people become.

Can the functionally fixed pseudo tough-guys like Rob Ford or Pierre Poilievre get that notion into their beans?  Probably not - they don't appear to be cognitively flexible enough to change their views.

Which is why they will ultimately be left behind.  

It's a social evolutionary thing.

Canada's Veterans: Dead Or Online

At least, that's apparently how Canada's Government sees them.

 

The federal government has come under fire from veterans and their advocates to address a rash of recent soldier and veteran suicides, and for the recent closure of nine Veterans Affairs offices.

 

While the budget contains no new programs to serve veterans, it allocates an additional $6 million over two years in funding for veterans' funerals -- $102 million was previously pledged for 2013-14, and Tuesday's budget adds $3 million for 2014-15, and $3 million for $2015-16.  It also expands the funeral fund to soldiers who served in modern conflicts.

 

The budget also pledges $2.1 million to enhance a web-based tool for veterans to access services.

 

Because all the remaining WWII vets are clearly online and if veterans of modern conflicts commit suicide or crimes as a result of psychological damage suffered, how's that the government's responsibility?

 

Pathetic.

 

Socialopoly: Bankers, Social Entrepreneurs and the Value Proposition

I suppose their value(s) proposition is their affair, and none of my business. But it’s a matter of credibility: When did big bankers gain such currency on the broad national stage?

 

We've turned to business elites for advice on governance.  We've tried technocrats, pollsters, spin doctors and yes, bankers.  These are all confident, successful people in their own way.  If success is success and the best way to run government is like a business, then why is it we're losing our status as a global economic superstar?  Why is hiring stalled?  What's not sparking in innovation yet flaring up in mental illness?

 

If these were the right folk for the job with the right advice for the times, surely we would be making some progress on these fronts - but we aren't.

 

Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  If the usual suspects aren't producing exceptional results, perhaps it's time to seek out different consultants.

 

Here's a radical notion - why not seek advice from grassroots social entrepreneurs?  They are business-oriented but equally pro-social.  Social entrepreneurs tend to be more hands-on with people on the ground, too, meaning they have a better sense of the common person's reality than someone who lives Gangnam style.

I know a bunch of folk who put social accomplishment before personal profit; they're out there working on everything from e-governance to education, labour design to mental health.  They have great ideas, but they don't know that bringing those ideas to government as policy suggestions is an option.  They've never been engaged that way before and government engagement isn't exactly something they teach in school. 

 

Oh - they also come a LOT cheaper than the Gord Nixon's of the world.

Give 'em a chance, government - you'll be glad you did.