The PRIVATIZATION thread

[bobthedrummer]

This thread will live or die depending on your participation. I'm merely starting it with a single link.

PRIVATIZATION-Source Watch
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Privatization

Add your comments, links or experiences with PRIVATIZATION to this thread DUers.

[bluesmail]

1. For starters I do not want some * or Cheney loyalist

building roads or bridges in my neighborhood. Make that my state. Oh wait, Make that my country. Head Hurts

[dchill]

2. Privatization should be stopped.

It works for NO ONE but the Prah-vuh-tah-zers. It isn't really supposed to work for anyone else. Think Keith Olbermann - "The reason for having a war in Iraq is to have a war in Iraq." This is where we are after eight years of this as a full-time diet.

[midnight]

3. Bob you always inform-thanks.

It is a bit hard to comprhend this piratization of our publically run departments, but I want it returned to us.

[bobthedrummer]

7. Don't thank me, midnight-I merely posted a link to John Stauber (and his team) at Source Watch.

Fwiw, I introduced myself to John this summer as bobthedrummer, a user name he recognized, and I thanked him for all he has done over the years.

We all want what has been taken from US returned, midnight. A lot of it may never be recovered in our lifetimes.

[bobthedrummer]

4. Golly, it must be FUN to OWN the WORLD'S CENTRAL BANKS, AND LEADERS

[Waiting For Everyman]

5. "Smaller government", that's what it means... privatize everything.

[sam sarrha]

6. without jobs.. slums like in Rio will crop up all over.. only the top 2% could afford privitization

on a universal level

[MiniMe]

40. May be smaller governments, but privatization costs more

I'm sorry, I don't want private police departments and private fire departments.

[Octafish]

8. ENRON planned to piratize water.

http://www.afn.org/~iguana/archives/2002_03/20020314.html

The greedy turds buy up the infrastructure taxpayers pay billions at pennys-on-the-dollar.
Then, they sell the natural resource back to those who need it at a higher rate.

Next, air.

[bobthedrummer]

9. Yep, air, for those that are left breathing...

[DCKit]

19. And while they own it, they allow the infrastructure to collapse...

then hand it back when they can no longer wring a profit.

It's already an established practice in utility privatization schemes.

[bobthedrummer]

10. Privatization Watch link

http://www.privatizationwatch.org

[bobthedrummer]

11. Here's a blast from the past that has deep meaning right now.

"US privatises its military aid to Georgia" by Nick Paton Walsh (January 6, 2004 Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/jan/06/georgia.nickpatonwalsh

And how have our military and their families faired under PRIVATIZATION?

Why are people like Richard Bruce Cheney and Donald Henry Rumsfeld still "making a killing" so to speak???

That's just one aspect of PRIVATIZATION, voodoo economics from "the supply siders" that used to brag of "the genius of capitalism".

[Tallison]

12. Don't forget Blackwater

and all its sundry achievements... :eyes:

[bobthedrummer]

13. I haven't forgotten a lot of names besides Erik Prince, J. Cofer Black, the Krongard brothers, et al

[bobthedrummer]

14. "A Record Year for the Pharmaceutical Lobby in '07: Washington's largest lobby

racks up another banner year on Capitol Hill" by M. Asif Ismail (Center For Public Integrity 6-24-2008)
http://projects.publicintegrity.org/rx/report.aspx?aid=985

:puke: :argh: :puke:

[bobthedrummer]

15. "ETHICS: Criminal Penalties for Public Corruption/Violation of State Ethics Laws"

a page from the National Conference of State Legislatures with State by State listings-yet PRIVATIZATION could not exist without corruption (and I haven't mentioned the "national security" shield of the "shadow government")

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/ethics/public_corruption.htm

[bobthedrummer]

16. .

[bobthedrummer]

17. "The Spy Who Billed Me" by Tom Shorrock (Mother Jones Jan/Feb 2005)

Private "intelligence", a real growth industry today, was discussed years ago after the "intelligence failure" that allegedly preceded 9/11.
http://www.motherjones.com/news/outfront/2005/01/12_400.html

[KoKo]

50. That's an incredible read! Thanks for posting this!

:kick:

[pnutbutr]

18. with regulation

I don't see a problem with privatization of many things as long as there is government regulation. Of course this also depends on the amount of regulation imposed on the various industries and the government's ability/willingness to enforce those regulations.

[dchill]

20. Can anyone cite an example of PRIVATIZATION...

actually working for any length of time? I won't hold my breath.

[pnutbutr]

21. happy medium

Most business in America is privately owned. As with most there is a happy medium that must be found between private and public control of businesses. Usually in the form of regulation. Energy companies are privately owned yet they must follow regulations imposed upon them by the government such as restrictions dealing with pollution.

Too much on either side leads to bad things.

[dchill]

22. Privatization and happy medium...

cannot coexist. Privatization and regulation is an oxymoron.

[pnutbutr]

24. It exists

today in many industries.

[AllieB]

28. Privatization and regulation is an oxymoron-under Bush.

It can work if the regulations are enforced. I never like to see public institutions privatized though.

[bobthedrummer]

23. The key concept is the privatization of government functions, similar to fascism-not Sears

and as far as energy companies following "regulations" here's an archived thread I started that does not support that view.

"A DU collaborative investigation: National Energy Policy Development Group/NEPDG" (started 3-18-2007)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x440721

[Thothmes]

36. How many road and bridges in this country

are built by federal or state employees. The construction of infrastructure in this country is almost in the hands of private contractors. When was the last time the U.S. Navy built its own warships. When was the last time that the U.S. Airforce build its own aircraft. When was the last time the U.S. Army built a tank or deuce and a half or its own rifles.

[Thothmes]

38. When was the last time that a road or bridge was built in this country

by federal or state employees. When was the last time the U.S.Navy shipyard actually built a warship. When was the last time the U.S.Army manufactured its own rifles, tanks or trucks. When was the last time the U.S.Air Force actually built an aircraft. The vast majority of infrastructure in this country is built by private companies.

[dchill]

25. FAA Privatizes FSS - Houston no-fly zone keeps cameras out.

First, FEMA and the FAA slapped a "no fly zone" around the area.

To see the actual "NO FLY ZONE" order, go to http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_8_8191.html

However, officials at the FAA Houston TRACON were surprised that there
was no indication in the file to indicate who issued the order.

FAA Flight Services Station (FSS) in Fort Worth -- now privatized as
"Lockheed Martin Flight Services" -- did not know who issued or
authorized the NOTAM.

http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Alt/alt.politics/2008-09/msg01973.html

[ulysses]

26. the privateers have been gunning for schools for a long time.

Spend time in a struggling public school and you know what the setup is.

[AllieB]

27. Like what they did in NOLA after Katrina.

They used disaster as an excuse to create charter schools that are privately run.

[ulysses]

29. right, except that NOLA's schools were an unexpected side benefit

of Katrina. They have a more comprehensive plan going.

[TahitiNut]

30. "I'm an incompetent manager who failed at business so I went into politics."

Far too many politicians, nearly all GOP and some Dems, are people incapable of actually OPERATING any business with a tangible product. So, they take on the role of "outside reps" for the crony CEOs and demon spawn of dead businessmen. Virtually EVERY "talking point" from these GOP shills betrays their own incompetence ... and the attitude of a Richie Rich who says "I don't need to know how to do that. If I want it done I'll hire somebody to do it!" So, they get into government and rather than actually demonstrate a comprehension of organizational and operational skills, repeat the mantra of "hiring someone" to fix it. (Hell, they don't even know what's broken!)

The (so-called) business schools have been churning out incompetents for about 25 years, now. One of the most popular curricula designs is the "Harvard model" of teams ... where 2 or 3 dead weight heir-heads ride on the backs of some folks a average talent ... who do all the "work." When I saw an MBA with a BusAd undergrad during my corporate days, I knew I was looking at a person who had one 'talent' - getting others to do the work for which THEY took credit. The halls of corporate America are infested with these creatures ... people who never got their hands dirty doing the actual work on the factory floor.

[bobthedrummer]

31. Former DHHS Sect. and Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson

used his "reforms" to push privatization from Wisconsin to an international level. His "reforms" were devastating for most people when operationalized as the following series of articles document.

"Tommy Thompson Prepares To Bring 'Wisconsin Model' To Washington" by Phil Wilayto (Media Transparency 1-1-2001)
http://www.mediatransparency.org/story.php?storyID=52

"Tommy Thompson's Easy Ride" by Frances Fox Piven (Common Dreams repost from The Nation 2-26-2001)
http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0210-05.htm

"Wisconsin Fails: Wisconsin Works doesn't work" by Bryan G. Pfeifer (Media Transparency 1-13-2002)
http://www.mediatransparency.org/story.php?storyID=54

"Ten Years After Welfare Reform Recipients Decline While Poverty Rate Increases" by Bill Berkowitz (Media Transparency 3-23-2007)
http://www.mediatransparency.org/story.php?storyID=184

Oh yeah, Tommy was huge on Faith Based and Community Initiatives too.

[bobthedrummer]

33. Tommy Thompson is President of Logistics Health Incorporated/LHI which "won" a bid

for medical testing and other procedures for Army National Guard members as well as returning active duty military, even though the LHI "bid" was over $80 million higher than competitors and a formal complaint was filed!

Well perhaps the criminal Bush administration awarded Tommy's LHI the "contract" because of his network of former military brass (including former Asst. Sect. of Defense for Health Affairs William Winkenwerder) that escaped the Walter Reed outpatient scandal and migrated to LHI.

Here's an archived thread that didn't last too long but is highly relevant to the OP and will be of special interest to all of DU's veterans and military families. Another case against privatization.

"Logistics Health Incorporated/LHI: A DU collaborative investigation thread" (started 10-29-2007)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2158103

[bobthedrummer]

56. A special kick for post 33...

[Union Thug]

32. I don't mind private companies making my guitar strings, cameras or t-shirts, but

I don't want them in control of my water, energy, retirement, or food for that matter.

[eShirl]

37. exactly. k&r

[bobthedrummer]

34. kick

[johnaries]

35. Actually, I thought the movie RoboCop summed it up pretty well.

Private corporations are all about the bottom line, period. The level of service they provide ultimately depends on what is most profitable. I don't want public services cut just because some CEO wants to improve their margin.

[MiniMe]

41. It encourages corruption

[LWolf]

39. Great thread topic. Great link.

I'll play, with public education.

Outside of the small fraction of children served by Headstart, preschool has always been private.

Post-high school has always been mostly private. I benefited from free community college, although I paid for my books. That went away a couple of decades ago. There is still a benefit attending state community colleges and universities: they are less expensive, and easier to get into, than others.

It's still all about the mighty dollar, though, and who can afford to attend. When I think of public education, I think of a free education provided to all. I'm a strong advocate of universal public, free, preschool-college or trade school. The invisible, unbreakable, plexiglass barrier that keeps class divisions and protects the current powerholders from invasion by those on lower rungs all hinge on education. IMO.

The powerholders know this. That's why there has been a decades-long war against public education. Privatizing education keeps everything controlled by those who benefit from the current class barriers.

Some of the weapons in this battle to privatize public education are vouchers and charter schools. Vouchers give public tax money directly to private schools. Charter schools are a kinder, gentler way to do that. The schools are still "public," they just don't have to follow all the rules that the rest of the public schools do. Of course, if they are perceived to be superior, there will be a call for more: for more tax dollars spent on "public" schools run by private corporations, by religions, by various other private groups, and exempt from rules and regulations that govern public schools.

This isn't a republican issue any more. While it started with right wing republicans, more and more Democrats are participating in the erosion of public education. Democrats overwhelmingly embraced NCLB, which seeks to force public schools into failure and then to disband them. The Democratic nominee for president embraces charter schools.

The privatization of the nation's education system is marching full steam ahead, and, frankly, this educator doesn't see any significant barriers out there to slow it down.

[bobthedrummer]

42. For some reason when the Bush family is involved in business ventures the usual result is disaster

except for the Bush family and their allies. And their partners often include enemies of the US. Imo they have sought to privatize The United States of America aka HOMELAND (tm)

Larissa Alexandrovna posted a timely reminder about this yesterday on her at-Largely site focusing on John Ellis "Jeb" Bush (but it truly is a family characteristic).

"What is Jeb Bush's role in the Lehman Brothers meltdown?"
http://www.atlargely.com/2008/09/what-is-jeb-bus.html

[bobthedrummer]

43. "US: IRS to Privatize Debt Collection" by David Clay Johnston (CorpWatch repost from NYT 8-21-2006)

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14030

[bobthedrummer]

44. Asian markets kick

[bobthedrummer]

52. And another kick for the "soaring" Asian markets...

[Neshanic]

45. Christopher Dodd and the RTC Wayback Machine....he likes it!

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=axN7il2n3WO0&refer=home

[bobthedrummer]

46. "Military Contractors Are Still Getting The Kid Glove Treatment" by Nick Schwellenbach

(alternet repost of Right Web article 9-12-2008)
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/97794/military_contractors_are_still_getting_the_kid_glove_treatment/

[bobthedrummer]

47. kick

[bobthedrummer]

48. Larger CIA and DoD Privatization Scandal Emerging from Walter Reed Story and US Attorney Firing

archived levymg thread started March 9, 2007
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x377023

[Marie26]

49. Shock Doctrine tells it all

Nanci Pelosi did have a good line today when she said that banks internalize the profits & externalize the losses to the public. That's exactly what corporatism & privatization does.

[bobthedrummer]

51. Nancy is a multimillionaire, quite unlike you and I Marie26

[Marie26]

53. Yet still correct.

On that point, at least. Neoliberals talk about the "free market" & capitalism's survival of the fittest etc. w/o gov. regulation, but when push comes to shove, they want the gov. & the public to bail them out. So the public really bears the risk of this unrestrained speculation & the corporations/banks reap all the profits. Good gig if you can get it.

[bobthedrummer]

54. kick

[bobthedrummer]

55. one more

:dem:

[bobthedrummer]

57. $$$ ^^^ $$$ "They say the best things in life are free..." $$$ ^^^ $$$

:patriot:

[bobthedrummer]

58. I need to hear what you think of PRIVATIZATION DU-kick