The Covid crisis could be the impetus that finally pushes the broken machinery of America’s schools over the cliff.
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A cultural earthquake is causing jagged fault lines to open across America. Many thousands have taken to the streets to protest police brutality. Others are taking to the streets to protest COVID-19 shutdowns.
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America can’t stay closed indefinitely. But reopening America’s shops, schools and other public places is fraught with uncertainties and risks. In some jobs and settings the precautions may not be possible.
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"The virus teaches us something. It's a wakeup call," says Philip K. Howard, the founder of the nonprofit Common Good…
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The Washington Examiner’s Grant Addison discusses the Campaign for Common Good with Philip K. Howard.
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Rebuilding America’s decrepit infrastructure would be a fabulous way to come out of the COVID shutdown — a million or more jobs, most of which are outdoors. How do we do that?
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The protests and riots show what happens when large segments of the population believe the deck is stacked against them. Distrust of government leads to corrosion of civil society. The opportunistic looting across the country is indefensible, but it’s rationalized by the logic of nihilism: If police won’t follow norms of civilized behavior, then neither will we.
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People want answers for what went wrong with America’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic—from lack of preparedness, to delays in containing the virus, to failing to ramp up testing capacity and the production of protective gear. But almost nowhere in the current discussion can one find a coherent vision for how to avoid the same problems next time or help restore a healthy democracy.
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Government needs to become disciplined again, just as in wartime. It must be adaptable, and encourage private initiative without unnecessary frictions. Dense codes should be replaced with simpler goal-oriented frameworks, as Cuomo has done. Red tape should be replaced with accountability. Excess baggage should be tossed overboard. We’re in a storm, and can’t get out while wallowing under the heavy weight of legacy practices and special privileges.
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Opening up the economy again, after the enforced isolation to contain the spread of COVID-19, will require tough choices. The moral and practical tradeoffs will be like none this country has ever faced.
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America will get past this health crisis, thanks to the heroic, unimpeded dedication of health-care professionals. But what will save America from a prolonged recession?
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What’s needed is a temporary Recovery Authority with a broad mandate to identify and waive unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles to recovery. The public will benefit not only with faster recovery, but also by treating the new approaches as pilot projects for more effective governance.
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To challenge Donald Trump, Democratic candidates are debating leftist and moderate versions of progressive agendas. But what's needed most, polls suggest, is a candidate who addresses the main source of voter anger—Washington itself.
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The federal civil service system is broken. This is not a controversial statement. A 1989 report by the Volcker Commission on civil service found a “quiet crisis” in federal civil service, characterized by “an erosion of performance and morale” and the “inability to recruit and retain a talented work force.” Pride had been replaced by resignation.
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Reformers have confused cause and effect: Paralyzed government, not polarization, is the original sin of modern government. Government’s inability to respond to public needs is the chicken that laid the egg of polarized politics.
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It is no secret that America’s road, rail, water, and power infrastructure systems are woefully out of date. Political leaders say they are committed to fixing it. But nothing happens.
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It is not possible to fix government without remaking public service, and vice-versa. What is missing in both is a framework that honors human responsibility.
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Rebuilding America’s decrepit infrastructure requires a new permitting system. Approvals today can take a decade, sometimes longer. Delay dramatically adds to costs, and prevents projects from getting off the drawing board.
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