ext_42737 ([identity profile] mintogrubb.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] talkpolitics 2011-04-09 10:35 am (UTC)

Re: Economic ignorance -- popular can also be wrong

So, you are saying that we let volunteers run the sewage system instead of paying people?
Well, good luck with that.
the fact is that society needs people to provide infrastructure in very unglamourous and 'unprofitable' ways.
We ca eliminate the high cost of private sewarage by using public money. in fact , we did back in Queen Victoria's day.
Private money generally wants a quick return and a big payoff.

Generally, it is not interested in mowing grass. Or cleaning sewers, long term healthcare for the terinally ill and chronically sick, or running prisons and military operations.

It is much better at taking out tonsils, cosmetic surgery, providing food and clothes and can go as far as providing an education to those few who can afford it, but those are about it's limits.

I suggest we let the market do some things and the government stick to cutting the grass, and doing things that are long term and unglmourous leading to low profit margins but pay into the community in terms of public well being.

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