Maggie's Farm

In The Economist, In America and Britain governments hope that a partnership with “social entrepreneurs” can solve some of society’s most intractable problems.

Dream on, rainbow-pony dreamers:

POLICYMAKERS on both sides of the Atlantic are keen on a new approach to alleviating society’s troubles. On July 22nd Barack Obama’s administration listed the first 11 investments by its new Social Innovation Fund (SIF). About $50m of public money, more than matched by $74m from philanthropic foundations, will be given to some of America’s most successful non-profit organisations, in order to expand their work in health care, in creating jobs and in supporting young people. 

Let's face it: this is all about jobs for people who work for non-profits. They vote too - for whoever gives them the bucks which they feed on. I don't know what Europe needs (besides a spine or two), but I know what America needs more than more non-profits: more lower-skill but decent-paying work from successful businesses, and better parental examples of adult responsibility.