Social Vision Statement

A world in which Government, Economics (Industry) and Religion are separate from each other and perform their own specific function in society, would be my “Happy Place”. The interdependence of these three aspects has led to a world that is divided not only on grounds of religion but also on how businesses should operate in terms of maximizing profit yet maintaining stakeholder interests.

Government and Politician’s role in society should be to make policies and decisions that target the social and economic well being of people and society as a whole. Decisions by people in office of power that impact only a very small section of the society in my view are not always the best decisions. A good example of such a decision was the proposal in 2004 to construct a bridge that was to connect Ketchikan, Alaska (pop. 14,500) to Gravina Island (pop. 50) at cost of $200 million. The proposal was put forth by Congressman Don Young who was the Republican member from Alaska and also the Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Sure, connecting a remote village in Alaska would help in economic growth and development of the village, but at what cost? $4 million per person! Could the $200 million not be utilized in other ways to promote tourism or trade in the area? Could the people be possibly relocated to the mainland at a lesser cost? Though answers to these questions may seem obvious at the surface, there is a convoluted relationship between the “Right thing to do” and what “Ends up being done”.

In most countries, states or even in small towns, decisions by politicians are made to appease people, so that they elect the same person or party for the next term. The approach of “you scratch my back and I scratch yours” often leads to selective participation in welfare of society. People who do not have as much influence on policy making or determining who comes to power, often end up being sidelined. A simple fact that most organizations - religious and industrial; endorse candidates who have the same ideology as they do, means that people are seeking to satisfy their own motives by electing these candidates.

In the ideal world, election or selection of people to office of power will be based on what they are capable of delivering to society and how they envision improving the overall level of existence of everyone. There will be no partisan politics or favors to organizations or individuals who help elect a candidate. In this society candidates will not have seek donations and raise millions of dollars to contest polls. Contesting polls would be more like a job interview, where candidates will have a resume of their accomplishments and what they bring to the table and people will decide on this basis, rather than on who had most air time on TV or who was able to go to more towns and cities for public rallies. Not only does this require the candidate’s time, but imagine the countless number of man hours that are put into organizing campaigns and rallies for a candidate. Could these hours not be utilized towards community service? Could candidates and the volunteers who organize these rallies not go to a small town or a city and clean streets, or help someone build a home?

Economics or trade on the other hand, should be carried out in a way that leads to production and services being provided at the optimum cost that maximizes profit making ability, yet meeting stipulated guidelines for Taxation, Safety, Environmental and Ethical policies. The only link between government and industry should be to monitor taxes and dues are paid appropriately. Government should act as the independent auditor of financial books of companies, with no monetary exchange involved. Product safety and Environmental impact of manufacturing should be assessed by independent bodies that are a congregation of all industries with equal representation and participation by the willing. This body should lay guidelines and be a watchdog that ascertains members including they themselves adhere to these rules and polices. Role of FDA or OSHA which are government agencies should be taken over by these independent non governmental agencies. This would lead to lowered interference and inter-dependability by industry on government.

Also, the tendency of industry to rely on government for potential subsidies and trade tariffs against competition should be lowered. Every country provides