4 ms·

If law-enforcement is for-profit and a necessary piece of the budgeted income, doesn't that demand that laws be broken? If the city is going to in the red unles

If law-enforcement is for-profit and a necessary piece of the budgeted income, doesn't that demand that laws be broken? If the city is going to in the red unless it meets ticket quotas, then aren't people who break the law providing a service to the government? For-profit prisons create similar problems. It becomes in the best interest of those profiting from these systems to encourage systemic crime. The problem was exposed years ago in the media, why hasn't it been dealt with? I think this is evidence that the people running those local governments are insane. Would a rational minded person ever support such a system? It doesn't take a genius to look at the long term consequences and think "Maybe this plan needs adjustment."

brbsix 10y ago
Law enforcement in the U.S. is almost exclusively served by public agencies, so I'm not really sure what you mean when you bring up for-profit. They certainly aren't for-profit in any traditional sense (i.e. engaging in voluntary trade of goods/services in an open market). They're only "for-profit" in the same sense as mafia, in the same sense as government, in that they use violence (or the threat of it) in order to sustain themselves. For an interesting perspective on private prisons, you should see what Gary Johnson has to say on the matter based on his experience as Governor of New Mexico: http://govgaryjohnson.tumblr.com/post/139039414105/private-prisons http://govgaryjohnson.tumblr.com/post/139039414105/private-p... If you want to see some serious influence (for the worse), take a look at the prison guard and law enforcement unions. At least the private organizations are accountable, liable. They aren't bestowed with any magical priviledges or powers. Deals can be renegotiated, people can be fired, competitors can be pursued. Who knows what we could achieve under private (wholly volunatary) policing. Organizations could actually compete on budget, effectiveness, community-fit, supplemental charity services. Don't like the service? Hire someone else.

brbsix 10y ago

Law enforcement in the U.S. is almost exclusively served by public agencies, so I'm not really sure what you mean when you bring up for-profit. They certainly aren't for-profit in any traditional sense (i.e. engaging in voluntary trade of goods/services in an open market). They're only "for-profit" in the same sense as mafia, in the same sense as government, in that they use violence (or the threat of it) in order to sustain themselves. For an interesting perspective on private prisons, you should see what Gary Johnson has to say on the matter based on his experience as Governor of New Mexico: http://govgaryjohnson.tumblr.com/post/139039414105/private-prisons http://govgaryjohnson.tumblr.com/post/139039414105/private-p... If you want to see some serious influence (for the worse), take a look at the prison guard and law enforcement unions. At least the private organizations are accountable, liable. They aren't bestowed with any magical priviledges or powers. Deals can be renegotiated, people can be fired, competitors can be pursued. Who knows what we could achieve under private (wholly volunatary) policing. Organizations could actually compete on budget, effectiveness, community-fit, supplemental charity services. Don't like the service? Hire someone else.