I don't think we necessarily disagree - you think outsourcing the liabilities was a bad move, presumably because in private hands, collections will be ruthless.

I don't think we necessarily disagree - you think outsourcing the liabilities was a bad move, presumably because in private hands, collections will be ruthless... I'm complaining about the same point. I just see no reason why "private actor" must imply ruthlessness. The terms of the contract or laws governing the collection of gov't loans could be written to enforce a fiduciary-like expectation into the arrangement.