Privatization Nightmare: 5 Public Services That Should Never Be Handed Over to Greedy Corporations

[marmar]

AlterNet / By Dave Johnson

Privatization Nightmare: 5 Public Services That Should Never Be Handed Over to Greedy Corporations
Why we all pay more when essential services are privatized.

November 17, 2011 |


Who gains – and who loses – when public assets and jobs are turned over to the private sector?

The corporate right endlessly promotes “privatization” of public assets and public jobs as a cash-raising or cost-saving measure. Privatization is when the public turns over assets like airports, roads or buildings, or contracts out a public function like trash collection to a private company. Many cities contract out their trash collection. To raise cash Arizona even sold its state capital building and leased it back.

The justification for privatization is the old argument that private companies do everything better and more “efficiently” than government, and will find ways to cut costs. Over and over we hear that companies do everything for less cost than government. But it never seems to sink in that private companies don’t do things unless the people at the top can make a bundle of cash; if the CEO isn’t making millions, that CEO will move the company on to something else. When government does something they don’t have to pay millions to someone at the top.

So how do private companies save money? What costs do companies cut that government doesn’t? When you hear about “cost-cutting” here is something to consider: what if by “costs” the privatizers are talking about … us? ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/economy/153093/privatization_nightmare%3A_5_public_services_that_should_never_be_handed_over_to_greedy_corporations/

[xchrom]

1. recommend

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Private cameras on traffic lights.

I now hit the brakes as soon as I see "yellow" and stop well behind the white line. I also notice that the lights have been calibrated to turn from yellow to red in less time, guaranteeing a "gotcha" for nearly all cars who aren't savvy.

[liberal N proud]

3. When public services are privatized, we the people no longer have control

The article mentions Chicago streets as a good example.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. I'll add to that list

Public Assistance Eligibility Determination (TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, etc.) It's been a huge miserable failure here in Indiana- both for clients and workers. :puke:

[PETRUS]

5. K&R

[Demeter]

6. NO Public Service Should be Privatized

and that includes military, police, health, safety, and natural monopolies: power, water, sewer, communications, government.