Post in I am a citizen not a consumer

John Miller wrote:
> On 22-Jul-08, at 12:45 PM, Simon Smith asks:
>
>> But why set up an opposition between the roles of customer and
>> citizen? Can't we do/be both?
>>
>
>
> (I assume that is  rhetorical question and not central to your
> identity, so I will challenge the idea and hope you take no personal
> offense.)
>
> I'd say no, we cannot perform both roles at the same time on the same
> topic in the same way.
>
> However we could juggle the two roles like this:   I was in a coffee
> shop having a lively spontaneous discussion about the possible closure
> of the neighbourhood school. I was having this discussion with some
> neighbours and the school trustee who seems to hang out in this
> particular shop.
> - Citizens were having a discussion.
> - Consumers bought cups of coffee.
> They were the same biological life forms in the same space and time
> but purchasing coffee and discussing politics were quite different
> activities.
>
>
Let's try a different take on this:

My kids go to the local schools - in that regard, I'm a consumer (or
customer, or client) - and I expect the schools to do a good job.  If
things are bad enough, I might consider placing my kids in a private school.

At the same time, I'm a citizen, and very involved in various local task
forces - including a couple related to our schools.

I'm playing two roles, on the same topic, at the same time - and there
are times when those roles are in conflict (example: while I'm generally
supportive of our schools, and they do a reasonably good job, one of my
kids is learning disabled, and the schools are doing such a horrid job
in supporting him that we're currently contemplating legal action -
while at the same time I'm serving on a strategic planning committee
focused on the schools' future directions).

Or to take a different example:  When there's a pothole in the street, I
view it as both a consumer (of public works) and as a citizen worried
about tax rates and performance of public officials.  It gets even
clearer when thinking about water and sewer services - those are
delivered as paid utility services, but by a citizen owned organization.

The analogy I always come back to, at least at the municipal level, is
that local governments are condo associations writ large - we're all
both owners (citizens) and customers.

Miles Fidelman