Colin Makin

Saving Our Democracy Colin Makin

Politics as Usual. Our politics has been dysfunctional for some time, and the situation is showing few signs of improving anytime soon. Meaningful discussions regarding national priorities are now almost always pushed to one side and replaced by demonstrations of partisan solidarity in contests that value winning above all else. This adversarial environment supports a well-funded industry that feeds not only the politicians and other swamp dwellers in Washington, but also a sensation-seeking media, and hundreds of well-paid commentators. The political industry has never been so powerful, but that does not mean the nation is being well served. Common Sense and Business StrategiesOur political system plays the basic human instinct to gather into groups of like-minded people which then actively promote their beliefs, even if that means rejecting opposing opinions that are demonstrably based on facts. But humans have also been blessed with the ability to think logically and have developed social disciplines that make sure our instincts do not always have total control. We experience them continuously in our everyday lives at home, and at work. This book explains how we can apply common sense and basic business strategies to our political system to ensure that the real needs of society are identified and policy is executed efficiently. Once the strategies have been instituted, essential but difficult issues will be addressed, and data-driven policies backed up by solid planning and verifiable results will replace the current divisive rhetoric and unrealistic blue sky promises aimed at appealing to our emotions.