Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Susan Mercurio's avatar

Every word you said is exactly what I believe, except for your statement that your suggestions aren't socialism. Of course you have to deny socialism because of the American bugaboo about "socialism," but this is the good socialism, not the totalitarian one that we fear. The real totalitarianism is coming disguised as market forces.

I am just an ordinary American, without any platform or exceptional power, and I have been thinking these things for about 50 years.

It's as though you read my mind and published my thoughts. No, you're not fringe, or if you are, I'm there with you.

Now those who agree with these ideas need to get together and I don't care if they identify themselves as "right" or "left." We need all of us to turn the Titanic around.

It's all hands on deck, because we are all in this boat together. We will all go down together if the crew is infighting instead of working to save the ship.

Expand full comment
Beverly Walsh's avatar

I think you are right on in saying that government needs to compete with private industry to reduce prices overall. So glad someone actually recognizes this. I was a career government employee. The last 20 years I ran the fleet department for my specific agency. We had over 300 vehicles and heavy equipment. We had our own auto shop staffed with 3-5 full time mechanics. We did most all maintenance and repairs, farming out only overflow and larger, specialized repairs. But, we utilized all local parts houses and local mechanics as needed. All was great. Our mechanics knew the vehicles and their operations. They did an annual service on everything. They were able to anticipate repair needs based on vehicle use and the actual operators. They were also there to re-train operators as needed. During Clinton-Gore, we were forced to compete against private contractors. Only thing in the bid was wages, our shop, all tools, service truckers, etc would go to the winner. Of course it was rigged, we had to stay with our government wage scale, contractor did not. They won, they stopped using local parts and shops, repairs were constantly behind schedule, customers couldn’t get their vehicles, fire and police units went un-repaired during fire season. Overall budget increased 25% before end of probation period. They were fired after 1 yr., but the damage was done. Mechanics had moved on, tools were sold. Customers now had to handle their own maintenance and repairs. It was a mess, cost continued to increase. This is just one example. Government shot itself and the taxpayers in the foot. Costing them sustainably more money, by no longer competing with private industry.

Expand full comment
128 more comments...

No posts