So there's been a lot of harping on this board about private businesses, and a general defense of the idea that introducing government programs funded by taxpayers into private industry is a good idea.
It seems to me the private, anti-government program advocates have been doing most of the defending, with very little input as to why public systems are better.
So I'm curious, we all get involved with government from time to time, whether it's on April 15th or through government programs.. I'd like to hear about people's experiences in this area. What is your general sense of how government programs run? How do the programs you interact with function, how efficient are they, and are they simpler to work with or more humanitarian than the private businesses you deal with every day?
Replies
52Beach Fanatic
Thanks for the long and obviously heartfelt response GW. I get the point, there are people in government who actually serve the people. I should point out that a majority of my criticisms tend to be aimed not at the people doing the government's work, they are aimed at the people who give them their marching order. There's an important distinction there which you point out well here in your examples.
How different are these government folk from the people who work in the private sector you often denigrate? Am I evil simply because I do not work for government? Are all government workers as noble as the examples you mention in your post? Are politicians? I think there is plenty room for criticism, but maybe not so much for the people you felt I find issue with. (and I agree, the us vs. them crap needs to come to an end, er, or I wish it would, but probably won't.)
30AShopper, thanks for your reply. Of course you are not evil...for any reason that I know of. And, I don't recall denigrating the private sector in general. I have a big concern with CEOs who walk away with millions while the pensions of their employees vanish, as in the case of Enron...I have problems with insurance companies behaving the way they do--but, generally I have no problem with people who work in either the private or public sector as a group. That was my point, as you said, there are many good people working in both arenas--and it is up to all of us to work to correct the policies that might cause harm.
Each of us comes from a specific framework based on our experiences; and we tend to see events from that point of view. All I am saying is that let's bring the best of both together to improve things for everyone. Let's not continue this endless tirade against government just for the sake of a tirade. I think we agree on more than we disagree on. We need to hold the elected officials' feet to the fire to do the work of the people--not to align themselves with the lobbyists who think they run the world. There is no good reason that we can't have a better health insurance system in this country, except that those who profit from the way it is now, do not want to see any change...and IMO that should not be allowed to stand.
Beach Fanatic
I don't think private=good; public=bad. I actually believe that there are advantages and disadvantages for both arguments regarding both public and private sectors.
Good point, Lynnie!
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.