Should our ports be "nationalized" if we cannot get a credible buyer?

[kentuck]

Rumors are that Halliburton or Bechtel or Carlyle Group might take over the ports from DPW...But, can either of those "entities" be trusted? How would we know there is not an under-the-table deal already made? In fact, it probably has. These folks have proven themselves willing to steal from the American taxpayers.

[liberal N proud]

1. I am sure that Halliburton is standing in the wings if necessary

See this post from earlier this morning

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x621425

Dubai Ports World Is Considering Selling U.S. Operations To Halliburton

[Ron Green]

2. Inefficiency and sloth on the one hand... greed and avarice on the other.

It's the age-old dichotomy, isn't it? Government-run operations, while set up to do the right thing for people, inevitably fall into wasteful entitlement, while bottom-line operations will always seek to enslave people and steal money.

[Divernan]

3. Absolutely!

nt

[acmejack]

4. Socialist!

OMG! Seriously, I am sure the deal has been made & we are holding the bag in some manner and Baker, Bush and Co will cart off the borrowed funds from the US Treasury.

[FSogol]

5. Ask it this way: Should our security be nationalized?

I say yes. The move to privatize everything has been a bad one. The military used to do all the stuff Halliburton is doing now, for less $$$ and with better results.

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. But it's been very good for Halliburton. nt

[gunsaximbo]

6. Absolutely!!!

And so should the major airports.

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. I wouldn't be too hasty about that.

You just know that if the ports were nationalized, the government would be in a position to break the port workers unions as their first agenda.

How is labor handled with the Post Office? There are obvious parallels there.