Why is the "private sector" better than the "public sector"?

[LeftishBrit]

22. It's a combination of hatred for paying taxes...

and being brainwashed into thinking that the private sector is much more efficient than the public sector. In my personal experience it isn't. The most inefficient, customer-unfriendly organizations that I've encountered have generally been privately run. And I have encountered a pretty badly-run public sector organization, as our County Council is one of the worst-run councils in the country IMO - but the bad private organizations that I know are MUCH worse!

And at the extreme, look at the dreadful messes created by the banks, not to mention the amount of taxpayer money that has so far gone into trying to fix these messes!

Also, there is an element of greed and wanting to get away with cutting corners. The same people who are against the public sector are generally also against any government regulations on the conduct of the private sector. They want to make as much profit as possible, including gross exploitation and insecurity for some of their employees. Then, of course, the Right tries to 'divide and rule' by persuading the exploited private-sector employees to blame their position on the 'overpaid' public employees, rather than on the people who are doing the exploiting.

I hasten to add that I am not saying that all or even most private businesses are inefficient, exploitative, or profiteering. I am speaking here of the sort of society and attitudes desired by those who are totally anti-public sector and anti-regulation.