Originally posted by mikemike Very interesting distinction there, but it is somewhat troubling to me because what it says is that if the government steps in and fills a production role in the economy, the government's services and business model will be virtually indistinguishable from a private competitor's business model. This has implications beyond just energy, but also in health care where there is a yearning for the government to take a more active role. If they do so, would the public option health insurance or public hospital be operating in a proprietary setting? If so, how would that improve anything?
One of the few compelling arguments for the government taking on a role in the economy is that they might build their business model around something other than profits. Like a power company that puts the environment first or a health insurance company that puts the patient's long term health first. I have always had a sense that the government didn't need to take on those roles because although the different model was a possibility, it was not a given and it was one of the least likely possibilities. The distinction between governmental functions and proprietary functions really brings into focus why that ideal possibility is so improbable.
P.S. geaux tigers
What this example says is that the environmental issues are only a product of the profit to some extent. At some level, a non-profit entity may also become desperate to get the job done, and do something stupid. However, that level of desperation is different from what is may inspire a manager just to squeeze a few more bucks from the enterprise. Every human endeavor is subject to humans making mistakes.
The same is true of health care costs. There will be a limit to what the government can do, but the current system is so bloated that there is a lot of room for improvement. And, yes, there is a greater concern for public health in the public system. I just experienced it personally. My stay in a private hospital gave me better food and a prettier room, but the nurses and staff at the public hospital expressed far more concern and attention.
Sometimes, it seems to me that the difference between the libertarian right and moderates or even the Left, is that the Right expects there to be one solution--one principle to follow, and that will result in utopia. When something goes bad in a system, it must mean the system is imperfect and to be avoided. Others are looking for improvement, rather than perfection. Government will not give us a healthcare utopia, but it has a good chance of improving things. If it weren't for the TVA, there would not have been power for many years to many parts of the country. I would have been very slow to substitute health care with heavy government involvement for a private system. However, we have had a very long time to judge this system, and we have numerous examples outside the U.S. to compare other systems.