Blackwater, Diebold and the privatization of governance
ILLUSTRATED: Scandals with government contractors play into our themes of good government and governing in the public interest. Functions that are inherently governmental, need to be controlled by public officials, not private contractors.
After Hurricane Katrina, several stories appeared of large companies stepping up with a tremendous logistical effort. The civilian government seemingly was not as coordinated to help its own people, therefore it had to be supplemented by corporate generosity. That is only one example of the problem.
Government can contract some functions to private businesses. Food services, certain administrative functions, as well as certain type of consulting expertise. However, with main line activities, the executive decisions need to be done by people who are accountable to the public.
Force protection in a war zone, and counting votes are perfect examples on inherently government activities that need to be run by people organically in government agencies. This Blackwater mass killing is a tragedy. But since the Army is too small, military functions are sent to a business that is outside any legal apparatus or status of forces agreement. This type of incident was bound to happen without a proper accounting.
As for voting, finally there is a backlash against Diebold voting machines, and their secret software. One company had too much control over our election system.
The list goes on and on: Vouchers for schools, private prisons, etc. The GOP is hurting the democracy, because if more of these functions are run by companies, the voting public loses power.
Democrats need to use these examples to tie into a central theme that government needs to work in the public interest. For those weary of big government, turn it around and let them know that these important functions being run by "people accountable to you, not out to make a buck."
After Hurricane Katrina, several stories appeared of large companies stepping up with a tremendous logistical effort. The civilian government seemingly was not as coordinated to help its own people, therefore it had to be supplemented by corporate generosity. That is only one example of the problem.
Government can contract some functions to private businesses. Food services, certain administrative functions, as well as certain type of consulting expertise. However, with main line activities, the executive decisions need to be done by people who are accountable to the public.
Force protection in a war zone, and counting votes are perfect examples on inherently government activities that need to be run by people organically in government agencies. This Blackwater mass killing is a tragedy. But since the Army is too small, military functions are sent to a business that is outside any legal apparatus or status of forces agreement. This type of incident was bound to happen without a proper accounting.
As for voting, finally there is a backlash against Diebold voting machines, and their secret software. One company had too much control over our election system.
The list goes on and on: Vouchers for schools, private prisons, etc. The GOP is hurting the democracy, because if more of these functions are run by companies, the voting public loses power.
Democrats need to use these examples to tie into a central theme that government needs to work in the public interest. For those weary of big government, turn it around and let them know that these important functions being run by "people accountable to you, not out to make a buck."
posted by Teka Thomas at 6:27 PM
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