Red tape or oversight? Progressive or Doublespeak?



This week I was fascinated, but not surprised to learn that extra government oversight (aka Red Tape) helped prevent thousands of opioid overdose deaths in several US states. The In Triplicate episode of the Revisionist History podcast explained how the use of special government issued prescription pads helped doctors in some states "think twice" about prescribing opioids. The podcast provided a very clear example of how government oversight (aka Red Tape) actually works. The nefarious drug manufacturer took this into account and spent more money marketing opioids in states that did not use the government issued serialized pads!

Reducing red tape, reducing government oversight and management is not a "progressive" ideal. The definition for Progressivism from Wikipedia states "In the 21st century, a movement that identifies as progressive is "a social or political movement that aims to represent the interests of ordinary people through political change and the support of government actions". So I am left wondering how is a "Progressive" Conservative government going to support me, an ordinary person?

Well let's see. I enjoy a nice sandwich now and then. Imagine we do away with the health inspectors at the meat plant. After all - it's just red tape! How am I going to feel about those cold cuts? 

Here is another example. A developer wants to build an 8 story condo right in between single family dwellings in a small village core right next to the Green Belt. "Forget about the local planning authority. We don't care about piddling details like traffic and sewer pipe sizes. Get the shovels in the ground! Let's go." Elderly residents end up with no more sun on their vegetable patch. They end up with sewage backing up into their basement. They end up with traffic congestion and exhaust 24/7 right next to their kitchen.

"Let's build that highway. We don't care about sensitive marshland, the Green Belt or reducing greenhouse gases. Get the shovels in the ground! Let's go." Is that the hue and cry of a "progressive" government? I think not. Red tape reduction Minister. I think not. More like "Doublespeak Minion". If you've read Orwell's 1984 you know what I mean.

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