Innovator's Dilemma - Compromise Solution for U.S. Political Primary Approach

The 2008 Presidential Primary season has re-energized debate on the U.S. system (both parties) for selecting presidential candidates. This primary season's adjustments front loaded the schedule with states hoping to have a greater influence in the outcome (i.e.: Super Tuesday evolved in Tsunami Tuesday). Fallout from this new approach includes the firestorm of debate about Democrat voters from Florida and Michigan who feel disenfranchised by a process that has created a train wreck at the intersection of party rules vs. representative government. Even with the accelerated schedule, a state like New Jersey - which changed from a June primary to a February primary - still had the field of presidential candidates reduced from about 18 choices that voters in New Hampshire had, to only ~2-3 from each party.

Here's a recommendation for adjusting the primary process so that every state has a chance to 'more equally' influence the outcome:

** Seal the primary results of each state until after all 50 states (plus D.C., Puerto Rice, etc.) primaries have been completed.

Advantages:
- Every voter from every state gets a chance to pick from every candidate in the field.
- No state has advantage in thinning field of candidate selections from states holding primaries later in the primary season.
- All candidates still get to campaign at local the level, state-by-state during primary season.
- Voters have the opportunity to base their primary vote decision more on the issues of each candidate vs. on the horse race mentality that emerges from typical primary seasons.

Disadvantages (or additional advantages?):
- Conduct a national runoff for top candidates
- Fund raising uncertainty

Finally, to really enhance the primary season, restrict polling to issues rather than today's almost nonsensical daily polling ... which means nothing - other than potentially unduly biasing voters.

Imagine that, huh?

Innovator's Dilemma - The World is Flat by T. Friedman

Recommended book: The World is Flat, A Brief History of the 21st Century by Thomas L. Friedman. Important perspectives for both the short term (emerging and accelerating global competition for jobs) and long term (challenges to fundamental structures such as nation states), all happening because of how technology is leveling the playing field. Should be required reading for teens and any adult who hopes to work for at least 5 more years.

Innovator’s Dilemma – Representative Government with Super delegates?

Up until mid-January 2008 in the current Presidential Primary cycle, both parties had races underway that were historic and looking too close to call. Republicans had a large field with at least 5 major candidates in serious contention. Democrats had a slightly smaller field with 3 major candidates, but trending toward a showdown between two. From political pundits in the media to political junkies in the public, there was growing talk of the potential for brokered conventions … as well as increased discussion about the role of “super delegates” to decide the winners.

Being casually aware of the term and concept, but somewhat troubled by its implication, I did some basic digging. I discovered that the term “super delegate” is generally understood to apply to Democrat delegates, although some also exist in the Republican primary system too. However, the role of the super delegate is vastly more influential in the Democrat party with about 20% of Democrat Convention delegate voting power coming from “super delegates (vs. a very small fraction for Republicans).

Said another way, about 80% of Democrat delegates are derived from the will of the people via state primaries and caucuses. The other ~20% of delegates are allocated to individual Democrat politicians – mostly active, some former, as well as other “supporters” (i.e.: there is a 21 year old super delegate who was interviewed this week on one of the all-news cable channels).

Although a much smaller percentage of Republican delegates come from super delegates, Republicans have more state rules that allow “winner-take-all” delegates – another form of disenfranchising voters (i.e.: In NJ, if primary results had candidate 1 receiving 32% of the vote vs. 30% for candidate 2 vs. 28% for candidate 3 … candidate 1 would get 100% of NJ’s delegates, BUT, with the same split in FL, candidate 1 would only get ~32% of the FL’s delegates (although in some states – like CA – the popular vote-to-delegate earnings could vary because the calculations are made by district vs. at the state level).

Then of course there is another issue of different rules, state-by-state, that allow – or don’t allow - Independents &/or ‘cross-over’ voting in state primaries. Could our system of representative government possibly be more convoluted?

But wait, let’s get back to the super delegate-thing. Hum, I wonder what our Founding Fathers had in mind when they came up with this concept of super delegates. A little digging again to educate myself. I’ll be darned, today’s super delegate concept isn’t a hand-me-down from George, Ben, Thomas and our other Founding Fathers. Today’s super delegate concept was introduced after 1980 to accord a greater role to active politicians!

Stop and think a minute here. Anybody remember reading Animal Farm by George Orwell? Remember the infamous guiding principle of that book: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” … a comment on the hypocrisy of governments that proclaim the absolute equality of their citizens but give power and privileges to a small elite. See any parallels here?

Innovation. The Founding Fathers weren’t perfect. It took time to extend “representative” government across race, gender and even beyond land owners. However, from the aftermath of the decision by the Democrats in 1980 to institute today’s super delegate concept (fyi – a super delegate can vote however they like, including defying up to the 100% will of the people from their area), to the winner-take-all rules prevalent with Republicans, some ‘innovative’ ideas can be virtually indefensible and even dangerous.

Looks like true representative government is an opportunity-in-waiting for some future revolutionary innovator(s).

Innovator’s Dilemma – Political vision & will by championing solutions that can be realized at intersection of technology & policy

Imagine a silver bullet that could simultaneously do the following:

1) Reduce the USA’s dependence on oil,

2) Reduce the USA’s impact on the environment,

3) Reduce relevance of Oil on the USA's economy and thus the stranglehold suppliers from volatile, hostile regions have on the USA’s economy and Defense policy as it pertain to protecting the USA’s vital interests (in terms of our oil based economy).

4) Reduce the strain on the USA’s aging infrastructure of roads, bridges, tunnels (etc.), extending the duration of usability of the USA’s infrastructure which would also save on government expenditures.

5) Provide an economic stimulus to small, medium and large businesses, setting the stage for increased business investment and profitability for shareholders.

6) Provide an economic stimulus to individuals that increases disposable income, setting the stage for increased consumer spending and investment.

7) Provide a stimulus to the Telecom sector, still striving to climb out of the biggest meltdown in the history of the USA’s economy, as well as various technology industries including online security of vital information.

8) Increase family time by adding hours available to adults to be with their kids and loved ones, their communities, etc.

9) Assist Homeland Security with decentralizing our valuable human resources by slowing the brain-drain trend of American’s talent to major metropolitan areas which are also known to be targets in the current Terror War.

The “how” has already been proven to work on a small scale…being done selectively by individuals and businesses for about two decades. If managed aggressively to scale participation to critical mass, the “how” could unleash all of the above benefits.

What is the a “how”? Simple. Telecommuting.

Around since at least the 1980’s, telecommuting has yet to have the aggregate impact on the above due to a variety of reasons. However, fundamentally, those various reasons (desired face-time by bosses and subordinates, company politics, etc.) can be overcome if businesses are baited to act in a way that helps decision makers and businesses have an opportunity to increase the bottom line. Accomplish this by having the government institute a tax-break program for businesses that rewards companies with X%, Y% or Z% tax incentives if they arrange to have A%, B% or C% of their work force work from home.

All of the above 9 benefits and more could be realized over time by the USA if a Presidential candidate stepped up as champion of a program like the above. Borrowing a page from the government’s approach to not tax internet commerce so that this emerging aspect of the USA’s GNP can realize its full growth potential as quickly as possible, a carefully though-out government stimulus program designed to motivate action/participation by businesses that is tax revenue neutral or even positive (like recent tax cut initiatives have proven to be) would help scale this “how” so that the USA can lead the evolution into a sensible new world order that addresses global concerns while at the same time enhances the potential for strengthening households and communities.

Why not??!!

Innovator’s Dilemma – Rebuilding the Rust Belt, one kid at a time

In a historic old northern Indiana town on the majestic shores of Lake Michigan, a community is struggling to transition from it’s dependence on companies of the industrial age.  Some growth can be seen in retail (from major chains and big box retailers to a major regional outlet mall), as well as in a rediscovery of the recreation and tourism treasures that include the beauty of the Lake Michigan and area beaches to “Duneland” parks and much more. The transition is taking time (decades), but there are signs of progress.

One personal discovery last week was at a small business eatery my family enjoys visiting in the summer…Carlson’s Drive-in where Rootbeer & Hotdogs and much more is served right in your car. Enjoying another visit, we had a chance to chat with the owner and discovered what I viewed as a remarkable story and effort. Employing 53 people – mostly kids – the owner is committed to offering scholarships to A & B students. He posts grades inside Carlson’s and is engaged with teachers of the students to be sure his kids continue to achieve their scholastic results. In addition, he has a system that rewards grades, attitude and attendance with coveted positions serving customers where tips can be quite generous.

In an area of the country that lacks the charisma and popularity of sunbelt and coastal cities, this small-business owner has demonstrated by his commitment of personal time and involvement, along with financial contributions, that one person can make a difference in the lives of many - even in an area struggling to find its place in the new economy. If you’re ever passing through northern Indiana on I-80 or I-94 between Chicago and Detroit, consider taking the Michigan City exit (Route 421 North) to Carlson’s Drive-in (http://www.carlsonsdrive-in.com/index.htm ). It’s a slice of Americana – both yesteryear and the future.

(* - Scroll right margin of this blog to see a collage of pictures of Carlson’s).

Innovator’s Dilemma – Interesting Twist

Came across two words/concepts in recent days that shed a little light on things we take for granted as finite, but really have the potential for interesting alternatives:

“Moon bow” – Rainbow formed by light of moon.

“Switch pitcher” – If a ‘switch-hitter’ can bat from either side, then a ‘switch-pitcher’ can throw with either arm (NY Yankees just drafted a collegiate who can really do this!)

Innovators, take note!

Innovator's Dilemma - Quote about Innovation

“Innovation comes from the producer - not from the customer.” – W. Edwards Deming

William Edwards Deming (October 14, 1900 – December 20, 1993), was an American statistician, college professor, author, lecturer, and consultant. Deming is widely credited with improving production in the United States during World War II, although he is perhaps best known for his work in Japan. There, from 1950 onward he taught top management how to improve design (and thus service), product quality, testing and sales (the latter through global markets) through various methods, including the application of statistical methods such as analysis of variance and hypothesis testing. Deming made a significant contribution to Japan becoming renowned for producing innovative high-quality products. Deming is regarded as having had more impact upon Japanese manufacturing and business than any other individual not of Japanese heritage. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Edwards_Deming)

Innovator’s Dilemma – Let’s Change the USA’s approach to the Presidential Campaign

Talk about an area that is ripe for innovation. Sure, progress has been made by candidates who are leveraging “new” technology such as blogs, MySpace profiles, (etc.), plus many states are jockeying to reposition themselves on the Primary calendar to make their state’s impact on candidate selection greater. Here are some thoughts to fix what I see as wrong with the process:

1) Eliminate polling that shows ranking of candidates (limit polling to topics/issues).

Benefits:

a) Stimulates voters to pay better attention to candidates and to think for themselves.

b) Stimulates Media to stop its approach of segregating the field between “Tier 1” and others …. to me, the most shameful part of the Presidential Campaign process. Both parties have many candidates (8-10+), yet watching the media, it appears that each party only has 3 candidates each. Why does the public allow the media to take this de facto filtering approach?

2) Have a National Primary Day for all 50 states, followed by run-off national elections per party until each party has one candidate with 50%+ of the vote. Sure, this “unthinkable” approach puts financial pressures on the candidates to promote themselves in so many markets at once, but splitting Iraq into 3 countries had been an unthinkable approach up until very recently too. (Maybe another area for reform is to look at what the Media charges candidates for exposure. Can the public demand that the publics’ airwaves have X% allocated to the publics’ business of driving awareness for future elected officials?)

Why not?!

Innovator's Dilemma - Quote about Innovation

“Good ideas and innovations must be driven into existence by courage and patience.” - Hyman George Rickover

Innovator’s Dilemma – Creative Collaboration of Classic Blues Artist John Lee Hooker & Santana in Grammy Award Winner: “The Healer”

One of the last links to the blues of the Deep South, John Lee Hooker was born on August 22, 1917 in Clarksdale, Mississippi the youngest of the eleven children of William Hooker (18711923), a sharecropper and a Baptist preacher, and Minnie Ramsey (1875-?). He and his numerous siblings were only permitted to listen to religious songs, and so young John's earliest musical exposure was to the spirituals sung in church.

In 1921 John's parents separated and the next year his mother married William Moore, a blues singer who provided his first introduction to the guitar (and whom he would later credit for his distinctive playing style). The next year John's father died and at age 15 he ran away from home; he would never see his mother and step-father again.

Attracted by factory work, Hooker moved from Mississippi to Detroit in 1943, where he would reside until 1969. He felt right at home near the blues venues and saloons on Hastings Street, the heart of black entertainment on Detroit's east side. Hooker's recording career began in 1948 with the hit single, "Boogie Chillen," cut in a studio near Wayne State University. Despite being illiterate, he was a prolific lyricist. In addition to adapting the occasionally traditional blues lyric (such as "if I was chief of police, I would run her right out of town"), he freely invented many of his songs from scratch.

Recording studios in the 50s rarely paid black musicians more than a pittance, so Hooker would spend the night wandering from studio to studio, coming up with new songs or variations on his songs for each studio. Due to his recording contract, he would record these songs under obvious pseudonyms such as "John Lee Booker," "Johnny Hooker," or "John Cooker." His early solo songs were recorded under Bernie Besman. John Lee Hooker rarely played on a standard beat, changing tempo to fit the needs of the song. This made it nearly impossible to add backing tracks. As a result, Besman would record Hooker, in addition to playing guitar and singing, stomping along with the music on a wooden palette.

By 1970, John Lee had moved to California and begun working with rock musicians, notably Hooker recorded several songs with Van Morrison, including "Never Get Out of These Blues Alive", "The Healing Game" and "I Cover the Waterfront". Also touring with Van Morrison and Canned Heat, Hooker continued to tour the U.S. and Europe throughout the '70s and '80s. He appeared and sang in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers. In 1989 he joined with a number of musicians, including Keith Richards and Carlos Santana to record “The Healer”, which won a Grammy award (one of many awards) and catapulted him back to million-seller status and began what has been the most successful period of his extensive career. He fell ill just before a tour of Europe in 2001 and died soon afterwards at the age of 83. Hooker recorded over 100 albums and lived the last years of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he licensed a nightclub to use the name Boom Boom Room, after one of his hits.

Among his many awards, John Lee Hooker has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in 1991 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Two of his songs, "Boogie Chillen" and "Boom Boom" were named to the list of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. "Boogie Chillen" was included as one of the Songs of the Century.

The Healer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_8kkuekS5A ) is a brilliant example of collaborative innovative genius ... in this case, between John Lee Hooker and Carlos Santana.