tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post4544926045327092351..comments2024-01-02T18:05:23.666-06:00Comments on Streak's Blog: Taxes as wasted consumer spendingStreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01443433745929880701noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-47455481859104447122011-07-26T18:24:52.742-05:002011-07-26T18:24:52.742-05:00Private prisons bother me. We have one of the hig...Private prisons bother me. We have one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, so I wonder if the same groups that lobby for private prisons also lobby for tough on crime sentencing.steveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08862590608695420004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-15613589435428490132011-07-26T12:59:04.754-05:002011-07-26T12:59:04.754-05:00Well, Streak, you know me - I don't read that ...Well, Streak, you know me - I don't read that carefully :).WJBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17485113521973718311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-17464349718877232982011-07-25T11:58:59.008-05:002011-07-25T11:58:59.008-05:00I wonder what the numbers are on private prisons. ...I wonder what the numbers are on private prisons. We are starting to see that their lobbying efforts are counter to the public good, but I would actually like to see how they compare in cost.Streakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443433745929880701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-11916543921292634252011-07-25T11:50:34.582-05:002011-07-25T11:50:34.582-05:00I think progressives could also point to privatiza...I think progressives could also point to privatization programs that utterly failed. Back in the 90's there was an attempt to privatize public mental health services in several states. It ended up costing way more than it was supposed to and delivering sub-standard services. <br /><br />I think another problem is the perception that progressives aren't interested in cutting wasteful spending. I understand that not everyone will agree on what is wasteful, but there is a belief that the left is careless with spending.steveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08862590608695420004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-77545972110158328432011-07-25T10:51:08.513-05:002011-07-25T10:51:08.513-05:00Actually, my point is that entities that Republica...Actually, my point is that entities that Republicans see as purely private businesses (because they are) get assistance from the government and the line between private (good) and government (bad) is an artificial one. <br /><br />You know, I don't think I have read Rodgers' book. I should give that a look. I certainly can see the parallels in terms of the discussion today--with the difference that more people who benefit from government don't realize it and oppose government assistance.Streakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443433745929880701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-80762209546687264622011-07-25T10:32:23.807-05:002011-07-25T10:32:23.807-05:00Streak,
I wonder how effective it would be for &q...Streak,<br /><br />I wonder how effective it would be for "Progressives ... to identify the actual benefits from taxes--things that benefit even the anti-tax people. Things like Medicaid support for nursing home care, or matching funds for police and fire services, or for cleaner and healthier water systems."<br /><br />Don't you think that the issue is about what is the entity that would best provide "nursing home care," police, fire services and water systems? Don't you think that the core issue is whether private businesses are better suited for these things (Republicans) or government (Democrats)? So, if my assessment is correct, then it would not matter to highlight the benefit of taxes because many people believe that private corporations should be the ones providing these things to society. I think now about how cities contract with private waste disposal companies to collect trash.<br /><br />I tend to agree with you here and this is an OLD debate. In a sense, this was essentially the debate of the Progressive Era (1890-1917). Daniel Rodgers' book ATLANTIC CROSSINGS for instance discusses the conversation in Europe and the United States about business and government.WJBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17485113521973718311noreply@blogger.com