When "following the money" in order to understand why funding is provided for particular programs or services, it is important to keep in mind that more humane services and logical plans for cost savings could and often should take money and power from people and organizations that benefit from existing policies and practices. It can be painfully obvious that defenders of "business as usual" strongly or cleverly resist solutions that threaten their status, power, and livelihood. Given this reality, it is vital for change proposals to carefully address these possible consequences of transforming inhumane, ineffective, and needlessly costly programs and services. Of course, those defending the status quo prefer keeping change proposals focused on the problems of those "targeted" by their policies and practices and not on how their self-interest depends on the existence of such problems. Arthur T. Himmelman Loring Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
