The idea that you should run the government like a business... [View all]

[WCGreen]

is ridiculous in the reality based world.

First of all, a business is in marketplace, competing. Government operates outside the marketplace.

A business has a primary mission to turn a profit. There is no profit incentive in government. If you don't have enough to supply the basic needs of your citizens, you raise funds. If you have a surplus you cut taxes. A business does not have that luxury.

A business makes a commitment to its customers. A government has to provide for citizens without any other connection except that they are alive and live in that governments jurisdiction.

A government is there to provide access to the basic functions of society. A business is not.

A business can not operate with a deficit for very long. A national government can borrow money to keep providing essential needs by borrowing.

By the way, pushing more and more government provided by the federal to the states is just another way to get rid of the functions of government because states cannot run a deficit like the federal government.

So mull that over, offer some more examples and think about this the next time a conservative says privatize.