2009.08.28: Philippines RPCV Bruce Nussbaum writes: Design For Corruption--Why US Healthcare is Failing
Peace Corps Online:
Directory:
Philippines:
Peace Corps Philippines:
Peace Corps Philippines: Newest Stories:
2009.08.28: Philippines RPCV Bruce Nussbaum writes: Design For Corruption--Why US Healthcare is Failing
Philippines RPCV Bruce Nussbaum writes: Design For Corruption--Why US Healthcare is Failing
"I've lived all over the world, in countries that Americans often call "corrupt." Peace Corps in The Philippines, journalism in Thailand, Argentina, China. But these days, the US is at least as, if not, more corrupt than any other nation I have lived or worked in. Yes, most of this corruption is "legal." It is easy to pass laws that make lobbying legal but what is happening in Washington today is exactly what happens in Manila, Jakarta, Shanghai or Bangkok--buying influence to control policy for the benefit of the few."
Philippines RPCV Bruce Nussbaum writes: Design For Corruption--Why US Healthcare is Failing
Design For Corruption--Why US Healthcare is Failing
from NussbaumOnDesign -
BusinessWeek by Bruce Nussbaum
I've lived all over the world, in countries that Americans often call "corrupt." Peace Corps in The Philippines, journalism in Thailand, Argentina, China. But these days, the US is at least as, if not, more corrupt than any other nation I have lived or worked in. Yes, most of this corruption is "legal." It is easy to pass laws that make lobbying legal but what is happening in Washington today is exactly what happens in Manila, Jakarta, Shanghai or Bangkok--buying influence to control policy for the benefit of the few.
The US has designed a corrupt political culture that undermines our meritocracy and makes a joke of the "public good." Health care is the most glaring example. Read this amazing Business Week cover story about United HealthCare's influence in Washington. We have a Congress and Senate full of people covered by a great public health care plan refusing to share it with the rest of the population largely because of the lobbying efforts of health care insurers who don't want a "public" option that would give them competition. The story shows in detail how corruption is shaping our national health care system.
Ditto for bank reform and Wall Street reform. Despite incredible irresponsibility that brought the US and the world to the brink of another Depression, the financial sectors have escape any serious re-regulation. Why? Lobbying.
The World Economic Forum is starting a forum for designing large-scale social organizations. It should be with a case study of the US.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: August, 2009; Peace Corps Philippines; Directory of Philippines RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Philippines RPCVs; Writing - Philippines; Business; Medicine; Public Health; Speaking Out
When this story was posted in April 2010, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Memo to Incoming Director Williams PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams |
Read the stories and leave your comments.
Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.
Story Source: Business Week
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Philippines; Writing - Philippines; Business; Medicine; Public Health; Speaking Out
PCOL44828
18