GOPideas... ideas done right

As we move into 2010, the blog will be sharpening its focus: from a general policy blog to a blog focused on finding and publicizing policy initiatives that have accomplished positive change at the state and local level. The reasons for this are manifold, but the two primary ones are: 1.) that an inflexible, one-size-fits-all law that attempts to legislate change throughout all organizations is bound to be inefficient and 2.) our politics has become devoid of substance, leading to bad policy proposals.

Before delving into my rationale for modifying the site's focus, let me stipulate that a.) much of what I write will be simplified because of constraints of time and space and b.) policymaking in the United States is extremely complex, so any solution will have advantages and drawbacks, costs and benefits and will likely alter the preferences and positions of individuals in ways that they may not like. As my favorite economics teacher told us while graduate students in public policy: understand that any policy change will result in winners and losers. I'm not here to tell you whether you should do something --- that will be your choice as a policymaker --- I am here to show you that there is no change that will be all good or all bad and to ensure that you can recognize those tradeoffs.

 

Thus, my goal is to provide workable solutions to policy challenges with the hope that citizens and policymakers facing similar challenges will take the ideas, modify them for their specific circumstance and create positive changes.

This hope is based on the first reason for changing the focus of the site: that different people in different circumstances should approach problems differenly --- because applying the same policy choice in different circumstances, with different people and differing resource levels is likely to lead to highly variable outcomes. A policy innovation that works brilliantly in rural areas may be a boondoggle in urban areas. A policy choice may work flawlessly in a state that has a strong individualistic culture may fail miserably in a more communitarian state.

Unpacking the rationale further, every entity (family, business, state) has different values, beliefs, priorities and culture --- and in a free society, they have the right to take actions that support their wishes. Washington's goal should not be to homogenize this diversity, but rather to embrace it, enable citizens to learn what solutions work best (and which ones do not work), pick from the best and solve their problems --- in their own way.

Of course, this methodology is only valid if a.) people have found ways to solve problems, b.) those with similar problems learn the innovation --- hence, the purpose for this site.