The [Wednesday] Papers

I have to fight at least three different bureaucracies today, so I don't have the psychic energy to write a column.

You know what the problem is with bureaucrats - and this includes private-sector customer service personnel? They are so intent on rules that they are adrift when the rules don't work for someone or someone has followed the rules and the system has broken down anyway. The bureaucratic mindset has no way to help you at that point.

If I were training a government agency or customer service department, I would advise my troops that their jobs were to be problem-solvers, not systems enforcers. The job is to be an advocate for the taxpayer, client or customer who is stuck in the gears.

That's not to say that the taxpayer, client or customer is always right, because that's clearly not the case. But solving the problem still should remain paramount.

Of course, it's difficult when the agency or company has been stripped of resources. I get that. And workers are likely not incentivized to be advocates or problem-solvers. Too bad, because that kind of short-term thinking is highly detrimental in the long run. Also, what kind of person do you want to go through life as? Do you really want to be a dick?

Sadly, too many people don't mind going through life as dicks. Again, the incentives are ass-backwards.

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Related:

Two years in, my Obamacare nightmare continues: It's Schrodinger's Medicaid - I both have it and don't!

— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) October 6, 2015

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See also:
* Me and My Medicaid: The [Monday] Papers.

* Medicaid Mess: The [Thursday] Papers.

* Illinois Medicaid Nightmare at 1:03:35 of The Beachwood Radio Hour #43.

* Four Pinocchios To Obama For Medicaid Expansion Claims.

* Feature, Not A Bug: It Was Part Of The Plan That You Wouldn't Necessarily Get To Keep Your Doctor - And Obama Knew It.

(Obama: "If you like your doctor you can keep him, PERIOD! Don't believe the GOPs warnings." This was easily and instantly fact-checkable. I noted it in real-time!)

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Go Cubs Go

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If Joe Maddon Were Mayor
Cops wouldn't carry guns, man!

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Slightly related:

Next on Sex Talk: "Never the pressure of the moment exceed the pleasure." #JoeMaddonsRealLifeLessons

— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) October 7, 2015

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Sadly related:

Tribune: "Break the Cubs curse with Stephanie Izard's goat recipe" | MAKE IT STOP

— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) October 7, 2015

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Illinois Offshorers Cost Us $1.2 Billion A Year
Twenty-nine offenders, soon to be joined by corporate criminal ConAgra.

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Slightly related:

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The In$ane Chicago Way
Inside the plot by Chicago's Latino gangs of the '90s to create a Spanish Mafia.

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Chicago journalism needs someone to cover gangs as a beat and produce this kind of work.

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Viet Cong Blues
Local band changing name, because duh.

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Cook County Forest Preserves Photo Contest!
I voted, did you?!

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BeachBook

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TweetWood

.@davidaxelrod @BuzzFeedAndrew Really? "Axelrod: Expect more 'aggressive' Obama in debate on Tuesday" http://t.co/oWZOU0oR00

— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) October 7, 2015

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Meet the lawmakers-turned-lobbyists who opposed free trade but cashed in on the #TPP deal http://t.co/Ymc4f1uHEc pic.twitter.com/sq8KxtoX3t

— Political Capital (@Poli_Capital) October 7, 2015

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Men's Journal "Local's Guide To The Real Chicago" Predictably Unlocal, Unreal: http://t.co/uL9WkAS1If

— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) October 7, 2015

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Also see @BeachwoodReport for real-time commentary on Tuesday's appearance of police chief Garry McCarthy at a city council budget hearing.

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The Beachwood Tip Line: Dead or alive.

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