There are two kinds of homeowners. The first kind would never change faucets and doorknobs. They buy a house, tear it down and start over. 

Other people keep what they can tolerate. They cannot afford to be radical.

No matter the approach, everyone agrees: The point of renovation is to rebuild.

Like an old house, the OMA sprawls with additions, legacy rooms and dark closets unfit for visitors. It’s tired and dysfunctional. Most people finally admit it.

The OMA was never built to service 42,000 members. It was not designed to command a battle with an activist, majority government in the trenches of social media.

Crisis can bring out the best in people. It often brings out the worst in organizations. The OMA crisis exposed problems that no one talked about when times were good. Continue reading “Time to Rebuild the OMA”

The movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, is a political thriller, despite all the crying, hugging and cuteness.

At its core, the movie portrays a battle of political visions.

Will George Bailey accept Mr. Potter’s salary in exchange for Mr. Potter’s iron control of Bailey’s Savings and Loan?

Will George stand up for his own political vision, of small loans for his neighbours, or will he sacrifice his integrity for Mr. Potter’s vision of control and serfdom under Potter?

The movie pivots on George’s refusal to accept Potter’s vision of reality.

The following 2 minute, 30 second clip captures the struggle:

Selling Out

Once surrendered, integrity is almost impossible to regain. Some say doctors have surrendered too much already. We gave in years ago: Better to compromise and get a raise than lose a fight and suffer more fee cuts! Continue reading “Political Vision Must Come Before Negotiation”

Fundamentalism simplifies life. It turns a messy world, full of grey, into a crisp, clean existence of peace and clarity. Even dogs and colour-blind people can see black and white.

Fundamentalism uses publicists to guide true believers.

Some news columnists, ersatz journalists, make their living as publicists. They sell words that paint the same, stark plot: Everyone is good or bad, oppressed or oppressor.

Stylites in the Main Stream Media chant their sermons, while the choir nods in unison.

Doctors are oppressors, arrogant and powerful.

Liberal members of parliament are warriors for social justice.

Not even Odysseus could sail between the publicists and warriors unscathed. Black and white makes life so simple.

Most people expect news-papers to report the news, not create it.

Now, many newspapers only write about events that support their narrative. Continue reading “Fundamentalism in Medical Politics”