Reply #502: hypothetical

[Two Americas]

It is not straw man, it is a hypothetical. I didn't say Google was harming anyone. But it certainly could be true that a privatized effort, well publicized, takes the pressure of off the politicians and tends to lull the public into complacency. So yes, it is very easy to imagine that for each one helped a thousand could be harmed. It happens all the time. It is called the "ownership society" and the premises and assumptions of that right wing program have infiltrated liberalism at all levels.

This is so pervasive and obvious, that I think everyone here would see it clearly if they gave it any thought. One common example is parents setting up fund-raisers to save music or athletic programs in schools. Once that starts, the political will to fight for saving school budgets is seriously compromised and weakened, since "the problem has been solved" - or at least the public thinks it has been solved.