This link is to an article about incentives in education in the Harvard Educational Review of 1996. At first I thought it was relevant, but it’s not. The one important point that does hold up is that there are good programs but no demand for them. The author’s definition of “good programs” is suspect because the good programs are merely different, not better, but his point about lack of demand is, wait for it, linked to no incentives for effectiveness.
To politicians everywhere, “Thanks for helping us. Now, please stop.” For confirmation, see yesterday’s post.
The priorities of the Obama-socialist government remain health care, education and energy, none of which the government should touch. Health care will become more of a government bureaucracy with much of the costs going to administration, regulation and keeping favored groups in a favorable position. Education hasn’t worked yet, but making it more centralized will fix that. Energy will be based on the mercantilist notion of “energy independence”. A notion which is silly and will never be achieved, in spite of the rhetoric which really doesn’t add anything to energy or trade. In addition, the “green” energy foolishness about Global Warming will need massive subsidies going to favoured groups. Cap-and-trade is so useless only those benefitting from vapourware can possibly support it. Socialism always works until it’s tried.
In Canada, the prime minister kept Parliament out longer than he “should have”. There are those of us who believe with Will Rogers that, “Having congress in session is like watching a baby play with a hammer. You only hope you can get it away from him before he does too much damage.” (Not an exact quote).
Cheerio and ttfn,
Grant Coulson
Cui Bono–Cherchez les Contingencies
