Beyond Reform?

I read another paper today about the need to reform public services. I suppose it’s too anxiety provoking for many to say perhaps it’s time to compost? Especially when that idea can be confused with thinking that we no longer want public services – or services for the common good. We can reform all we like, but at the core, there’s a toxic system based on colonialism, imperialism and patriarchy. Most public services have been infiltrated by the marketeers, as have the party of the people. 

With post pandemic eyes I feel we can see more clearly that reform is papering over the cracks unless we really change the way that decisions are made and institutions are structured. As long as institutions are connected to political cycles not much will change to the status quo. All is fair when votes count, no matter how unfair it is. Like today, I saw a tweet, celebrating the fact that the local Council had set budgets with no cuts. Meanwhile in the land of reality, If you take time to read the cabinet papers, you understand the real financial position and discover that efficiency savings are being met by not recruiting into vacant positions.  Then you know that you can no longer trust the local leaders and politicians to be really honest. It’s all just a show, a facade. And we know it’s crumbling, before our eyes.

There really is no better time than to confront our freedoms and choose accountability and belonging. 

I really have to thank the wisdom and words of Peter Block & Vanessa Machado de Oliveira for helping me to see future possibility.  0nce you see it, you can’t unsee it. 

Image from the book: Hospicing Modernity: Facing Humanity’s Wrongs and the Implications for Social Activism by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira