THE PROBLEM
Our economic, political, and social problems are very difficult to mitigate. Many good solutions have been proposed but not implemented for various economic, political, or social reasons. People’s fears and prejudices play a significant role in determining what is or what is not done.
OBSERVATIONS
Most of our economic, political, and social problems are highly inter-related with other problems. However, most solutions address only one area of concern (such as Income, Healthcare, Education, Housing, Government or Political issues).
A solution proposed in only one of these areas will often create issues (both positive and negative) in other areas. If these other issues negatively affect a powerful group, this group may oppose a solution regardless of the benefits this solution may have.
Additionally, solutions often only focus on immediate concerns such as food for the hungry or housing for the poor. These solutions have always helped to alleviate suffering but seldom address the root issues that are causing other problems. This is understandable since mitigating root issues often seems impossible to do. However, it is often more economical to focus resources on preventing problems than on fixing them after they occur.
The Solution
CPAS – Coordinating Problems and Solutions
CPAS is a methodology to help find solutions to mitigate inter-related problems. It first creates solutions that focus on root cause issues in each area of the inter-related problem areas regardless of feasibility. It then evaluates what the likely impact would be if all these solutions were implemented together. Specifically, it evaluates how the positive effects created by some of the solutions offset the negative effects created by others. It continues to do this until it finds a set of solutions that powerful groups can accept, despite the fact that this set contains solutions that these groups would normally oppose.
We can use CPAS methodology to engineer a set of solutions that can effectively mitigate our problems with homelessness, hunger, and poverty. The PMP is a starting point to begin developing a set of policy changes to effectively end homelessness, hunger, and poverty in America.
Additional information about the theories behind the PMP plan can be found in book Redesigning America for the 21st Century: Solving our Healthcare, Income, Education, and Housing Problems
Questions: email David@fundingvisions.org