Metrics and accountability – endangered species

Here is the definition of performance metrics – A performance metric is a measure of an organization's activities and performance.  In order to attain metrics, it is necessary to “establish targets against which results can be scored.” Pretty basic stuff.

Most of us know what accountability is even though it has become an endangered species in the last five years (seems much longer doesn’t it?)  – we can safely predict by Mr. Obama’s departure in 1,185 days** (but who’s counting) that the species – bureaucraticus accountabilcus will be extinct in Washington DC (it does seem a long, long away, huh?)

But back to this metrics measurement business.

Just a little over one month ago, the bureaucrats at HHS, that’s the outfit run by Kathleen Sebelius, she’s the gal who told the Catholic church to start providing condoms and other forms of contraception to their employees – oh, and abortions if those frisky employees didn’t have time or inclination to use such free devices; this gal Kathleen predicted that 7 million people would sign up for Obamacare in the first year which now has begun.  That’s an example of “performance metrics.”

Kathy even provided detail.   Here are sign up "metrics" for a few big states:

·         California –  1.3 million

·         Texas – 629,000

·         Florida – 477,000

·         Washington – 340,000

·         New York – 218,000

The Associated Press got the metrics in a draft version from Kathy’s bureaucracy a few weeks before enrollment commenced on October 1^st.   A week later, Kathy issued the final statement.  Guess what?  The enrollment metrics were MIA – that’s missing in action.

Have you noticed that the same government that will ask you to report your income, to the dollar;  your medical expenses, to the dollar; your mortgage interest payments to the dollar;  your interest receipts (we know – most of you no longer can associate with this concept – receiving interest for your bank deposits) to the dollar; has no such discipline or documentation when it comes to their programs and expenditures and great plans and schemes?  Try estimating your tax deductions – with no paper backup and see what happens.

Now Obama could fess up – it’s a mess – the technology stinks; the concept is badly flawed and enrollment will fall way short of their projections – and Kathleen and her tens of thousands of bureaucrats are to blame.  That would be consistent with his concept of accountability?  Blame someone else.  But – big but about to follow – Obama has one condition associated with his concept of accountability.  Only republicans are accountable – never a democrat.

As to the metrics – why cover new ground – why publish an estimate when the American Hollywood media is only too willing to parrot your vague predictions and excuses and, of course, point the finger of blame at those pesky, in bred, badly conflicted, pocket lining republicans?

Metrics and accountability – endangered fundamentals in this new era of enlightenment. 

** there is a helpful website that captures Mr. Obama’s remaining time in office, to the second.  Interested?  Please go to:  http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?p0=263&iso=20170120T00&msg=Time%20left%20until%20Obama%20leaves%20office   Too bad Kathy didn’t hire the techies who did this webpage to do hers.  Short on time - just take a look at the graphic display in the upper right hand side of this page.