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> there is always a disconnect This is incorrect. There are plenty of efficient, well run government institutions and projects. There are also plenty of ineffi

> there is always a disconnect This is incorrect. There are plenty of efficient, well run government institutions and projects. There are also plenty of inefficient and badly run (for the consumer) market-based companies.

taftster 8y ago
I don't know. I agree with your statement about market-based companies. But if you could please cite the fabled "well run government institution", it would probably make your statement a lot stronger. I at least have seen quite a bit of DC and I don't think such a government agency exists.
- Arn_Thor 8y ago
  Perhaps not in the US, and perhaps not now. But the first thing that came to mind for me was the Hong Kong MTR, which started as an extremely successful statutory corporation that only later was privatized (and that with dubious results). Same with the Housing Authority in the same territory, which also was well-run until it was privatized and begun to sell off assets to private enterprises that turned the screws on renters. There's also the more fundamental question of whether a public good like transit should (and can!) be run for profit and at the same time benefit the entire population and economy. It's possible that's only feasible in some cases, not others. (Of course, NY should be able to turn a healthy budget given the population density.. the mismanagement is evident)
- tawayway 8y ago
  The IRS?
- JacobJans 8y ago
  I think it's pretty amazing the number of government services most people spend almost zero time thinking about, and yet, benefit from nearly constantly in their day-to-day lives. I think, in general, this is one of the attributes of a well-run government institution. It just works and it doesn't draw attention to itself unless necessary to fulfill the job. In my mind, these organizations are so ubiquitous, and so common, that it seems impossible to not identify them. However, the narrative of "government is bad" seems to be so powerfully blinding that I suppose they can be hard to identify for certain people.

taftster 8y ago

I don't know. I agree with your statement about market-based companies. But if you could please cite the fabled "well run government institution", it would probably make your statement a lot stronger. I at least have seen quite a bit of DC and I don't think such a government agency exists.

Arn_Thor 8y ago
Perhaps not in the US, and perhaps not now. But the first thing that came to mind for me was the Hong Kong MTR, which started as an extremely successful statutory corporation that only later was privatized (and that with dubious results). Same with the Housing Authority in the same territory, which also was well-run until it was privatized and begun to sell off assets to private enterprises that turned the screws on renters. There's also the more fundamental question of whether a public good like transit should (and can!) be run for profit and at the same time benefit the entire population and economy. It's possible that's only feasible in some cases, not others. (Of course, NY should be able to turn a healthy budget given the population density.. the mismanagement is evident)
tawayway 8y ago
The IRS?
JacobJans 8y ago
I think it's pretty amazing the number of government services most people spend almost zero time thinking about, and yet, benefit from nearly constantly in their day-to-day lives. I think, in general, this is one of the attributes of a well-run government institution. It just works and it doesn't draw attention to itself unless necessary to fulfill the job. In my mind, these organizations are so ubiquitous, and so common, that it seems impossible to not identify them. However, the narrative of "government is bad" seems to be so powerfully blinding that I suppose they can be hard to identify for certain people.