Sometimes one gets the impression that the authors of reforms in the fields of medicine and education do not know what they want. But do we know what we need? Maria Gaidar — about the relationship of citizens with the authorities.
In Moscow, they are now enlarging and merging everything that is possible: polyclinics are being assembled into huge complexes (4-6 at a time!), Bad schools are associated with good ones, kindergartens are being attached to schools, hospitals are being merged with each other. Naturally, this reform became a topic of wide discussion. Pensioners, teachers, doctors, youth — everyone has something to say about this. And everyone has strong emotions, especially indignation. Honestly, I myself, not without pleasure, join this indignation. In the circle of my friends and acquaintances, almost every day you can hear: why did we prepare for two years to enter the gymnasium? To be combined with a regular district school? When will this be over? Let them create one all-Moscow school and one all-Moscow polyclinic. And then combine them with each other! Do they know what they want to achieve?
This last sentence got me thinking. Indeed, one gets the impression that the authors of the reforms do not know what they want. But do we know what we want ourselves? The position of many of my friends is this: they want it to be «like in Germany or in Israel.» So that treatment is free, and you can get to any specialist quickly. To my question, what to do if you still have to choose between free and fast, the answer was categorical: “This is not our business. Our business is to pay taxes and demand that everything be good; but about how to achieve this, let the experts have a headache. For nothing, or what, they sit there in these positions?
There is logic in this answer. But imagine that in this way we will approach the construction of our own house or the repair of an apartment. It is unlikely that anyone will dare to pay a designer a large amount, content with the words: «Don’t worry, everything will be fine.» We know that it is absolutely necessary to delve into, check and make adjustments in the course of work. I am convinced that relations between citizens and the authorities should be built in exactly the same way. Especially when it comes to medicine and education. A lot here depends on our goals and desires, on the ability to see the main thing and on what we are ready to sacrifice for the sake of the final result. Spacious living room or office, pantry or closet, carpet or laminate: no one but ourselves can determine what is more important in our own home. And it is our duty to make this choice. Even if the cunning designer assures that there is no need to worry and everything will be fine in the end.