Loss, loss ... gain, gain
one clear sign of backwardness is the sight of a “clique” of senior government officials gathered at the airport to bid farewell to a minister, only to return to receive him, even when the trip was just for one day.
it goes without saying that such displays are meaningless. they serve no purpose other than disrupting the public’s interests and sending a clear message that time, the most valuable resource anyone has, holds little value to us.
the government was right to put an end to such meaningless and useless practices for any party. it is a loss for all parties involved.
another sign of backwardness, and equally meaningless, is when a minister inspects the work of his ministry or other entities he oversees, accompanied by the same entourage of undersecretaries, directors, inspectors, and journalists.
news of the minister’s visit often reaches the targeted area well in advance, giving ample time to clean and polish the site, remove debris, pave roads, arrange bouquets, ensure everyone remains at their desks, and prepare for souvenir photos with the honored guest.
this, too, is loss upon loss. in an advanced country, oversight agencies are expected to do their jobs consistently, making such ministerial visits little more than opportunities for empty praise and flattery, bordering on hypocrisy.
what the minister sees will inevitably be tailored to his preferences and requests.
if a critic argues that we are not a western country and that our self monitoring agencies do not function properly, then in countries like ours, it would be far more appropriate for the minister, or even the undersecretary, to conduct inspection visits discreetly. the current approach is ineffective and a tremendous waste of time.
signs of negligence and neglect are often hidden behind these semi-public inspection visits, which lack both genuine oversight and accountability.
government agencies should take a lesson from what is happening in the ministry of interior, where laxity was once the norm. as soon as the current minister took office, the situation changed dramatically, and we began to see discipline, increased activity, and real achievements. as a result, violations by both citizens and residents, as well as security personnel, have decreased.
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there is a simple rule - the success of any commercial deal or agreement depends on both parties accepting and being satisfied with its terms and outcomes.
this means a profit, benefit, or advantage for each side, what is known as a win-win.
for example, a family finally finds the home they’ve been searching for at a price they can afford.
the seller finds a buyer willing to pay the price they have waited for years to get.
the neighbors welcome the new resident. the broker is pleased with the successful deal. and the seller’s bank is satisfied because the sale enables repayment of outstanding debts.
together, these factors make the transaction a true win-win.
however, if the deal does not go through, it means there are parties who obstructed or delayed its completion.
but what if no one benefits from the delay? that will be the subject of tomorrow’s article ...
