Reply #6: All of our service professions have suffered

[felix_numinous]

because they have lost their autonomy under the last few administrations. The trend toward privatization has allowed corporate types to infiltrate professions with a business model that demands short term results that look good on paper rather than addressing the deeper social issues involved. Healthcare (which is my specialty) saw privatization of hospitals and the takeover of pharmaceutical insurance and legal institutions with agendas that contradict good healthcare.

Education, Health and Welfare are social services that are all interrelated, and thus their funding and governance need to be separate and assured as part of our infrastructure. Their mission statements need to be longer term than the 4 or 6 year terms of politicians. Good social services certainly need oversight, but balanced with assurances to workers rights. This was my concept of social services in the 1970s when I began my hospital career.

I believe in empowering the individual, and that much damage is done by shaming teachers and students. This authoritative dominating model builds resentment and impedes creativity and progress.