Sam Lanfranco wrote:

>While Taran might be correct with it comes to making progress in some
>technical areas, I fear that the evidence suggests that he is too
>hopefull when it come to program areas. All to often those who are
>not open and transparent are also well enough placed to:
> (a) capture considerable resources - mainly to sustain themselves
>and not to deliver the outcomes, and
> (b) capture the ear of policy makers who wrongly believe the
>promises, don't do due diligence, and end up wasting time, resources,
>and end up contributing to a lack of progress.

I am certainly not hopeful when it comes to dealing with beaurecrats.
In fact, I had hoped my message conveyed that I do not see them as
relevant. I have no faith in policymakers at this point; in the
context of disaster management it costs lives (and is something that
CARICOM is still making loud noises about at irregular times, like a
baby with gas).

How much energy must be wasted on the policy makers? No... I say
educate the people around us - such as through the social marketing
that Sam mentions (with the understanding that there must be follow through).
 From there, it becomes a political issue with an educated public and
enough cognitive dissonance to make a change in the perspective of
policy makers... or to replace the policy makers.

If at the end of my life, someone asks me what I did, I would hope to
say something better than, "Well, I wasted a lot of time and energy on
policymakers". Policymakers are not the real problem, they are a hindrance.

Taran Rampersad
Nearby Fri Oct 7 10:24:01 2005