Comments on: Privatized Parts?

By: Think Again

Think Again — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:09:42 +0000

If buyers can be found for these public assets, at a decent price (even a loss might be worthwhile), then full speed ahead.

It won't happen unless someone has an inside shot at getting rich via buying access to politicians, i.e. the IBM deal with the State.

Privatization can work, if the greedy insiders let the true market work. Please show me one example in this city of that concept.

By: Think Again

Think Again — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:09:42 +0000

By: pogden297

pogden297 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:42:32 +0000

Nick, you are exactly right. You know that any privatization deal will be about making some political insider rich, not what is in the best interests of the taxpayers. And, Varan, you're right. Any deal for a private contractor would have to be heavily subsidized to make it profitable to the private contractor.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:23:07 +0000

Remains to be seen if this administration has what it takes to actually pull off a large transaction that would benefit taxpayers more than political insiders.

Just look at what happened with the Veolia Water deal.

Details, details, details…

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:09:13 +0000

Perhaps for the same reason that an unconflicted child can pose an obvious question to a room full of adults. It's healthy, it's OK.

The ultimate move would be placing these “assets” up for sale to liberate taxpayers & refocus government on its limited purpose; which is not an “in business” proposition.

By: varangianguard

varangianguard — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:30:40 +0000

Hmm. I guess I would have to assume that these companies see some kind of profit potential here, else they woouldn't be interested.
.
If true, I wonder why the CIB seems to be so ineptly incapable of finding that same profit potential?