In other words, once a policy has been formulated and implemented, over time, responsible policymakers must remain both vigilant and flexible—to be willing to take a wrench to it. We must be more than just the makers of policy; we must also supervise policies and, as needed, adjust them.
Without an appreciation for the life-cycle of a policy, it becomes easy to take its early successes for granted. And this is a typical and very serious mistake. Public policy can and should help people live better lives. What are the best policies?