Re: New Mexico Fire - who is the owner of the system

[Ken.Kuang@kyocera.com (Ken Kuang)]

In a message dated 06/06/00 10:07:33 AM Pacific Daylight Time, John David 
Kromkowski writes:
     
"The general public cannot change how the system is run.  At best, they can 
collectively change about 2% of the people who appoint and confirm the heads 
of agencies."
     
In my view, the general public is the ultimate owner of the system. The 
general public elected the president and the president appointed agency heads. 
We also elect the congress, which monitors the performance of the executive 
branch of the government. Moreover, the public view (or poll) decides (in most 
cases) how politicians act.
     
When the New Mexico Fire started, all the newspapers and all the public 
opinions demanded punishing someone. US congress was not helping either (from 
the comment of the New Mexico Senator's TV interview). Even if Mr. Babbitt is 
a Deming-transformed individual (I doubt that), he is still working inside the 
system.
     
By no means, I am not defending Secretary Babbitt. However, there IS 
another way to look at the fire from a higher-level system point of view.
     
The general public can change how the system is run, if properly educated 
under Deming philosophy. However, it does not necessarily mean that the 
general public can change the system today. The task of educating the 
general public of Dr. Deming's philosophy lies on the shoulders of many 
Deming followers, like all of you and me.
     
Ken Kuang
Kyocera America, Inc.
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