A Red State Privatization Horror Story

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/red-state-privatization-horror-story

Conservatives 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, they’ll 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.

That’s the theory, at least.

In reality, privatization of public services has been a total disaster wherever it’s been tried. And, as a new report from the Center for Media and Democracy shows, it’s also created huge opportunities for fraud and corruption.

[hobbit709]

1. The whole idea behind privatization was to loot the public treasury for the benefit of the 1%

[Scuba]

3. Bingo!

[malaise]

8. +1,000

It's that simple

[liberal N proud]

2. Private sector = for profit

Privatization for profit means someone is getting rich from something that was once provided as a service.

[Scuba]

4. Why is there no ebola vaccine? Because it's not profitable.

[hatrack]

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]

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]

7. you do realize you typed or pasted

In reality, privatization of public services has been a total disaster wherever it’s been tried. And, as a new report from the Center for Media and Democracy shows, it’s also created huge opportunities for fraud and corruption.


LOL am I the only one who picked up on this?

[Trajan]

10. ? ...

Picked up on ... what?

[strawberries]

11. it creates huge opportunities for fraud and corruption

Don't we have all that now?

Center for Media and Democracy shows, it’s also created huge opportunities for fraud and corruption.

[Snarkoleptic]

9. When someone says "privatize", I politely say "you mean profitize".

Which never fails to bring about an interesting discussion.

[freshwest]

13. I call them 'profiteers' like privateers. They are thieves who strike hard and fast and leave others

to clean up the carnage.

[Enthusiast]

12. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

The weasels are still operating on the false Reagan meme that, "Government is the problem."