Solving Problems At the Lowest Level

Whether we like it or not, life has a way of throwing curveballs at us.

Minor problems like fixing a flat or unexpected repairs can be frustrating but not overwhelming.

Sometimes, we encounter crises that are big enough that we don’t have the skills or resources to solve them on our own.

What should we do then?

A lot of us have been trained from childhood that this is when we turn to government as our primary problem-solver.

There are some areas in which government can help organize people and resources.

But it often falls short when it comes to solving problems.

One reason for this is that politicians and bureaucrats tend to favor top down solutions.

If something works for New York City, they figure it will work just fine for Bozeman, Montana.

But if the person making top-down decisions is far away from where the crisis is occurring, they may not clearly understand what is needed.

A good example of this is when rescue workers sent to help hurricane victims were first given mandatory sensitivity training.

Meanwhile, the Cajun Navy responded quickly and effectively because they were from the affected areas and knew exactly what needed to be done.

It’s best to solve problems at the lowest possible level and to only seek help from higher up when it’s absolutely necessary. 

People are resourceful and can solve an astonishing number of problems when those in authority simply stay out of their way. 

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