What Can We Expect From Government?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Ontario 2000 : One Thread

Subscribe to any Y2K email list and the topics revolve around mostly these issues:

How much progress is being made in the various fields? Who is telling the biggest lie today? When will the majority of the populace wake up to the truth of Y2K life-threatening liabilities and what will they do when they REALLY find out? And, of course, what's the best things to have and do to prepare your family and community?

The religious lists pepper the discussion of the above topics with "God Bless" and Bible references (not meant or intended as a put-down). The techy lists discuss the above while peppering them with 'techy stuff'. The socialists of the 'resilient community' vain, discuss the above with the idea of transformation in the thinking patterns of modern society in some type of social engineering wet dream. (This is my site so I can write what I like. If you don't like it, buzz off and build your own).

Almost all the Y2K discussion lists have two common questions. What is the government doing and what are they planning and one common complaint, the fact governments aren't doing enough.

What they're doing in remediation is easy enough. The reports are available, abet buried within web sites, smothered with fudged figures and syrupy 'feel good' PR lines (almost sounds good enough to eat!). Just cross our fingers and hope not-to-die they're close to the truth. "Do ya feel lucky today, punk? Well do ya?"

There remains two great mysteries. What can we expect from the government and what can we expect when the vast majority of the population find out and experience Y2K induced disruptions of services?

I'll tackle the government issue here. The public's reaction and their likely activities later (stay tuned).

What can we expect governments to do about Y2K along side of trying to fix the systems as quickly as possible? There are really two sides of the same coin, one 'for the public' plan and the other, a 'need to know' contingency plan. The public consumption plan will be the 'concerned for the public' ploy where the authorities recommend that all households stock food and water, perhaps liase with others for an alternative heat source and generally tell people to take care of themselves. All in all, a worthy endeavour.

When the domino effect of Y2K disruptions hit, the 'for the public' plans will be trying to save as many souls as possible in the most populated areas. Not only to keep the all over body count down but to safeguard the economic engines of the country, the core social fabric and infra-structure. Rural areas may have to fend for themselves for a while but generally they are already prepared for disruptions in the supply of power, goods and services (like winter storms and waiting). Principles of triage can and will be implemented in worst hit areas as well. Various areas will be left to waste in the attempt to salvage, preserve and protect the more valuable assets.

This applies to people resources as well. Inner cities and the poorer regions need not expect swift and abundant assistance where the disruptions hit a large area. It may not be a pleasant thought but it's true.

The government leaders at every level will be expected to make appearances on whatever mass communication medium remains intact. TV and radio, perhaps on emergency band broadcast, or if all else fails, via neighborhood flyer distribution by volunteers and military. Police and military will be closely monitoring the situation for signs of technical and social trouble.

Contingency activities by emergency workers and repair actions carried out by the technical personnel will be the only knowledge shared with the public and told it is the top priority. The 'behind closed doors' contingency plans dealing with public disorder will be on a 'need to know' bases only. These plans are in fact, the TOP priority.

What will governments do when the domino effect of systems crashes propagates across every strata of modern inter-related society? WHATEVER THEY DAM WELL FEEL LIKE DOING!!! During Martial Law or an Emergency Measures Act (in Canada), elections are suspended along with democracy. The Head of State has sole authority and in effect, takes the role of dictator. Previously elected representatives of the people take an advisory role only and must relinquish their power until the crisis is over and only then, when that same leader decides it's over.

You and I may not like the idea, but the laws are on the books. Look them up.

The governments of the world have contingency plans already in place for public disorder. Police and military forces are carrying out drills right now in urban warfare, 'Operation Abacus' in Canada and 'Operation Last Dance' in the USA. An authoritive power axiom holds that all force MUST be met with a greater, overwhelming force.

What are government plans for dealing with social disruptions? Read the above paragraph again. Riots, looting, violence, mob swarming of government offices and threatening the lives of officials will be met with a greater force. In regards to Y2K and the possible ramifications of letting something like the Toronto or LA riots get out of hand, the actions will be carried out swift and harshly. Civil Rights and Due Process can be worked out later, probably buried in inquiries for ten years with findings and recommendations shelfed.

So the answer is, the governments don't have one plan. They have many, for the general public's knowledge and the other for ruling the public . Each plan has it's degrees or gradients from mild to extreme. The resources for public contingency plans are being organized. The physical forces are being organized across the country to deliver the greater overwhelming blow to anyone seeking to wreak havoc when we "can't all just get along".

For those looking to pick up a gun or club and take what doesn't belong to you, or do grave harm to others when they're most vulnerable, I hope you do meet with a greater, overwhelming force.

We've collectively given over this power to our governing authorities, perhaps more so than our Founding Fathers had originally intended when they wrote the Charters & Constitution. Now we're going to witness the results. Y2K will test your mettle as a decent citizen, our leaders leadership abilities and your neighbours neighbourliness.

Stay out of harms way from the bad people AND the government forces. They both have a long history of becoming easily drunk with power if left unbridled for too long.

Gary Allan Halonen

-- Gary (njarc@ica.net), March 10, 1999


Moderation questions? read the FAQ