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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA Red State Privatization Horror Story
http://www.alternet.org/red-state-privatization-horror-storyConservatives and libertarians have been saying for a long time that if we just get rid of government and replace it with the private sector, everything will run a whole lot better.
The idea is that since the main goal of all private corporations is to make money, theyll be much more willing than the government is to cut costs and eliminate waste.
The result, conservatives and libertarians say, will be more efficient, responsible and responsive services.
Thats the theory, at least.
In reality, privatization of public services has been a total disaster wherever its been tried. And, as a new report from the Center for Media and Democracy shows, its also created huge opportunities for fraud and corruption.
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A Red State Privatization Horror Story (Original Post)
xchrom
Oct 2014
OP
The whole idea behind privatization was to loot the public treasury for the benefit of the 1%
hobbit709
Oct 2014
#1
Vaccines or treatments for diseases that affect people without MONEY? Perish the thought!
hatrack
Oct 2014
#6
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)1. The whole idea behind privatization was to loot the public treasury for the benefit of the 1%
It's that simple
liberal N proud
(60,334 posts)2. Private sector = for profit
Privatization for profit means someone is getting rich from something that was once provided as a service.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)4. Why is there no ebola vaccine? Because it's not profitable.
hatrack
(59,585 posts)6. Vaccines or treatments for diseases that affect people without MONEY? Perish the thought!
What's been the focus of the mighty western pharmaceutical sector for the last 20 years?
Dick splints, baldness cures and blood pressure medications.
Magic of the free markets my ass.
TBF
(32,058 posts)5. Catering to individual greed
as opposed to looking out for the well-being of many has never worked well for the majority of people.
strawberries
(498 posts)7. you do realize you typed or pasted
In reality, privatization of public services has been a total disaster wherever its been tried. And, as a new report from the Center for Media and Democracy shows, its also created huge opportunities for fraud and corruption.
LOL am I the only one who picked up on this?
LOL am I the only one who picked up on this?
Trajan
(19,089 posts)10. ? ...
Picked up on ... what?
strawberries
(498 posts)11. it creates huge opportunities for fraud and corruption
Don't we have all that now?
Center for Media and Democracy shows, its also created huge opportunities for fraud and corruption.
Snarkoleptic
(5,997 posts)9. When someone says "privatize", I politely say "you mean profitize".
Which never fails to bring about an interesting discussion.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)13. I call them 'profiteers' like privateers. They are thieves who strike hard and fast and leave others
to clean up the carnage.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)12. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!
The weasels are still operating on the false Reagan meme that, "Government is the problem."