> Why are basic services so special they should use competition to drive efficiency? Because America has proven what happens when you let competition dictate -

> Why are basic services so special they should use competition to drive efficiency? Because America has proven what happens when you let competition dictate - the quality of services goes to crap. Look at your public schooling, healthcare, roads and rail. They are seriously below standard. > And as for OECD countries not being satisfied with the US govt services who cares? The only opinion that matters is US citizens I once read a report that said "If Americans knew what Europeans get for their tax money Americans would riot in the streets". I don't think you can ask US citizens, because they have no idea what the rest of the world is doing. It's not in their culture to look or compare themselves to other countries. > Should Sweden care if the US complains about their system? I've lived and worked in Australia, Canada, USA. My sister lives in the UK. In my experience, it's extremely common for Australia/Canada/UK to compare itself to other countries, and point out where Australia/Canada/UK is lacking. As one example it made massive headlines across Australia when it came out that school kids in Kazakhstan had higher Maths results than Australian kids. So in answer, yes, other developed countries do care and notice and use that comparison to improve their own country.