Privatization. A primary reason of where we are.

[mmonk]

In my opinion, it's the reason behind current foreign policy and "preventive war", crony capitalism and corruption, what has taken over the republicans (in a coalition with the religious right), Katrina, lack of funding for the VA, the assault on public education, Blackwater, the lack of investigation into 9/11, the reason impeachment is off the table, and the current divisions in the democratic party between the DLC along with the blue dog democrats and the traditional or "liberal" progressive democrats on the other side. If you disagree, state your case and how we can proceed from here in order to achieve some common goals.

[sandnsea]

1. Destroyed that pesky Bill of Rights

You know, the right to redress your grievances. Kind of hard to do when some unknown corporate entity is in charge of government services. The people who believe in government become frustrated having no recourse, and the ones who hate government decide they have been justified in their beliefs. It's a win-win for the Republicans.

[EstimatedProphet]

2. It's a DIRECT cause of where we are

For example, corporate or business interests CANNOT efficiently manage common goods. The need to achieve a profit off of those goods is in direct contrast to commons management. The very first impulse of business is always to reduce expenditures, because that increases profit. How can you do that if expenses are fixed, as they often are with common goods?

[Dover]

3. It's Corporate 'Governance' - and there is no public mechanism for public input

as with a Democratic system of votes or system of self governance. They say the market will decide...unless THEY decide otherwise, of course.

The multinational corporations see the vacuum of power at the global level (the new global networks, laws, infrastructure and governing bodies, etc. are not yet in place and it's the wild west). They want to be the rulers of the world and they can do that, in part, by owning and privatizing the most fundamental resources for life. Of course, the people don't have to acknowledge or honor their ownership or put up with their self-serving laws and handpicked judges. We need to take control of our future and create and protect the world we want to live in.

[mmonk]

5. The term for it of "corporate governance" I think is most apt.

Good.

[DBoon]

4. outsourcing is used in the private sector to evade responsibility

it serves the same function in the government

[mmonk]

7. Yes and is now out of control.

Private armies, "contractors", and the like. Once they perform their tasks for money, who is really responsible for their actions and what ever problems they create or leave behind? The "ownership society" I guess, but not in the image they wanted presented.

[muntrv]

6. Walter Reed, Helliburton, KBR, all determining policy. Yep, privatization

really louses things up.