Can you change a lightbulb?
“But can you change a lightbulb?” Silly question, really; most people can. How about “Can you rebuild the infrastructure for a small country?” Sure, with enough people. However, the firm that has been contracted to repair Puerto Rico is, nominally, two people. Well-connected people, obviously. They’ve scored a $300 million jackpot, and no matter how badly they mess up threading those lightbulbs, the money will be in the bank.
Something wrong here? You bet! Turns out that the firm is well-connected to the political machine of the US. Electrically, not so much. I’m sure they can find lots of line riggers to subcontract; after all, a number of countries have already sent volunteers into the general area. Just have to offer some easy money and the lights will be back. Frightening, on every level.
Of course, the late-night comedy writers have already got this one in their sights. Simultaneously, the government of PR has asked that the contract be annulled, and that a real tender process be instituted.
I see a strong parallel here with another American industry; those guys that go to war for money: mercs, not to be confused with a model of car. Without naming names (although one reminds me of carry-on luggage), the game has been to spend the best money a government can provide, using well-connected private people. Forget the civil service model. This is capitalism, 24K.
I hope we don’t have much of the pay to play model here in Canada (I’m sure that we do, given our proximity to the world masters), but I hope that my tax dollars don’t get flushed while caring for the important things.
