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The Forum > Article Comments > What to do about the worst type of government: local > Comments

What to do about the worst type of government: local : Comments

By Philip Lillingston, published 10/11/2020

From the infamous Boss Tweed of Tammany Hall notoriety of New York City in the late 19th century, to the present, council maladministration, if not outright corruption, has too often been co-driver with council governance.

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A World that would be run by corporations .

That does not sound like democracy to me .
Posted by Aspley, Tuesday, 10 November 2020 9:01:03 AM
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Sorry, disagree! This is just the Author's unfounded opinion.

The worst type of government are middlemen state governments/albatrosses around the necks of the taxpayers. Riddled from top to bottom with stories of corruption and or, lurching from crisis to crisis?

Absolutely everything they do or are responsible for could be done, with current staff levels, by a combination of Federal and Local government! Assisted by volunteer statuary authorities and boards. And vastly increased regional autonomy.

And we could reassign/retask the 70 plus annual billions we'd thereby liberate! I mean, we could build a really fast train, An inland shipping canal and several other nation-building projects inside two or so decades, with this liberated money!

The only thing I would add is a federal ICAC with teeth also observing regional councils and subjecting members to routine integrity examinations. And wherever any corruption or conflict of interest is involved/rooted out? Real penalties delivered, including a permanent ban for life, on any form of public service.
Alan B.
Posted by Alan B., Tuesday, 10 November 2020 11:32:19 AM
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Footnote. Would also reverse most privatisation of public property and ban the outsourcing of traditional government responsibility. Lots of fat to trim here from overinflated public service salaries and entitlements!
Alan B.
Posted by Alan B., Tuesday, 10 November 2020 11:36:55 AM
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Well, plenty of stupid ideas in this essay.

Lack of oversight is obviously the major drawback to local governance.
Amateurism and inability of management executives to perform to professional standards of oversight, and inability to account for large budget expenditures.

Wasteful and reckless spending sprees. Confused priorities. and general arrogance directed towards ratepayers with legitimate objections to council decisions.
Uncontainable vested interests of councillors, prioritised above legitimate and fundamental responsibilities of council business.

Lack of clarity in business dealings, particularly land development issues that tick off dodgy developments resulting in damage to surrounding neighbourhoods.
Parochialism as council amalgamation fuses the interest of surrounding areas once self governed, but now subject to siphoning of rates for outside interests.

Interference by State Government for political advantage, through manipulation of grants, a substantial part of local government income stream, resulting in stagnating funds stifling progress and forcing dodgy innovation to balance budgets.
The list goes on.

What to do to change it? Nothing of significance will change into the future as those with the power to do so are doing well from it’s obvious flaws!

Dan
Posted by diver dan, Tuesday, 10 November 2020 8:30:43 PM
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Interesting article- he does highlight some important aspects. As to his arguments on proportional representation- my understanding of the electoral systems of the US, the Diet, etc is lacking- the fact that proportional representation has currency in relatively functional societies does support it as a potential option. Not sure about the fairness of the US case- and it's apparent "market distortion" by immigration effects.
Posted by Canem Malum, Wednesday, 11 November 2020 2:00:47 AM
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I would like to see more decisions made at the local level. In line with Traditional Parochial forms of government.
Posted by Canem Malum, Wednesday, 11 November 2020 2:02:56 AM
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