Fubara,
But we know that it is demagoguery and political legerdemain to say "government is not the solution; government is the problem"! This is because:
1. Any time anything is wrong with the economy, whether due to the greed and rip-offs of the Madoffs et al or not, the Govt takes the blame;
2. Any time there is a natural or man-made disaster and immediate or long-term assistance is needed, the Govt is expected to act; if not, it is blamed for the suffering citizens and mess in society;
3. Any time the education, infrastructures or name it, is in bad shape, the Govt is Blamed;
4. The Govt in the US and several civilized nations have realized this paternalistic expectation of people about Govt; and so most sensible Govt disregard the ideological labels in his services and duties to citizen; they do what is sensible, sensitive, responsive and reasonable for people and society! Govts look for ways to take care of people; in terrorist attacks, Katrina, earthquakes and other natural disasters, in bad economy, famine, jobs and healthcare. ……after all, what is the purpose of Govt, if not the welfare of people and development of society? The increasing number of public and Govt-assisted or funded private agencies that cater to people's needs under different circumstances has continued to grow in virtually all industrialized nation, despite the demagoguery that "Govt is not the answer"!
In fact, while we will agree that ""…there should be no expectation that government alone can solve [all] those problems in a polity""", including creating jobs for people, the reality is that people nurse the expectation that the Govt will ensure that both the public and private sectors do what they are suppose to do. In the final analysis, the Govt usually takes all the blames; the actions by people are evident in the polls in democracies, and public protests elsewhere.
Finally, my 20-something years in the United States has taught me that it may be misleading to state categorically that: """"A Texan will not blame the Federal Government for the fact that the electricity supply at his/her home is unreliable. A person in Wisconsin will not blame the Federal government or even the state government for bad schools in his/her neighborhood, before looking at what happens in his/her local community."""" This is why: first, if you investigate very well, the establishment of these utilities in the first place has Govt fingerprints and leadership, either at the State, County or Municipal levels. Second, even when the full management and maintenance of the services are in the hands of private companies, it is usually a FACT that Govt retains its presence either on the Board and/or maintain a strict oversight duty to ensure that delivery is in compliance with established quality controls, safety measures and service/business ethnics. Third, more than 99 percent of private schools in the United States enjoy Govt support as grants, subsidies or other forms of funding; besides, no private school enjoys any meaning public attention with the accreditation by a Govt-approved bodies or agencies or Associations/Societies. In addition, several of these private schools were ideas developed by private individual and ultimately funded (at least partly) by Govt under certain guidelines. So yes, while it is true that a number of private concerns may wear the costumes of independence in establishment and management, the fact is that the majority enjoy huge Govt support and subsidies; and it is EXPECTED that they perform under the umbrella of a Govt authority and guidelines, and so if anything bad happens to private or public utilities or schools, the Govt is ULTIMTELY BLAMED! These are the FACTS, even in our nucleus of Modern Capitalism! You can verify that the situation is the same in the so-called PRIVATE biotech companies or private farms. Check them out!
Finally, on Prez GEJ, I am still hoping that he does not disappoint Nigerians (like you and I) who see some hopes in an individual who has been a Lecturer in a University, a Director in a Federal Agency, a Deputy Governor, a Governor, A VP and now a de facto PRESIDENT! During these times GEJ should have developed some ideas about key problems in Nigeria and how he can address some of them even if he has 24 hour to be President. We are still WAITING, even in the mist of one mis-statement after another from him. For JUI, I REMAIN HOPEFUL that GEJ won't let us DOWN! Take care. JUI
From: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Fubara David-West
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 7:04 PM
To: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; naijapolitics@yahoogroups.com; nigeria360@yahoogroups.com; abujanig@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [NIgerianWorldForum] RE: [NaijaPolitics] Nigeria's problems beyond govt, says Jonathan
Well: it all depends on what we consider to be the full story, does it not? The most important message of the Tea Party and the Republican Party during the mid-term elections, in the United States, for instance was that government was doing too much. An article of faith in Conservative politics here has been this idea, which President Reagan put so succinctly: government is not the solution; government is the problem. Yes: voters may blame the government for some of the problems that a polity faces, but there should be no expectation that government alone can solve those problems. Thus, president Obama and the Democrats are punished at the polls, because of the economic conditions in the United States, but we know that government does not create most of the jobs in the United States, private industry does. A Texan will not blame the Federal Government for the fact that the electricity supply at his/her home is unreliable. A person in Wisconsin will not blame the Federal government or even the state government for bad schools in his/her neighborhood, before looking at what happens in his/her local community. We know that the Nigerian political structure is less federal than the system in the United States, but the basic point remains. The people, industry, and governments at all levels must approach the problems of Nigeria as a collective responsibility. That is my reading of what President Jonathan was saying. I thank you. Fubara David-West.
Even America and the rest of the developed societies blame their problems on Govts; and this is obvious in how the nations use democracy to vote in or out people (leaders) they believe will solve or not solve their problems, respectively! Let hope a time will not come when some of us will be CRINGING whenever Pres GEJ wants to says something! Na wah! JUI From: NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Wale Oguns Absolute nonsense! please pardon my language. Nigerian problem is actually caused by govt and definitely not beyond govt. This guy doesnt have a clue about what to say alot. I want him to radiate confidence actually. We need a strong proud progressive government and our problems will be solved. Nigeria will be prosperous again! Please, kick the guy out in 2011 though i have not seen a credible alternative yet. Wale From: Fubara David-West <davidwest62@yahoo.com>
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