[beachhead]

Originally Posted by AdamSelene

The grid is essential infrastructure that should be owned by the city. There is no role for consumer choice, no preferences for the market to decide on. It's counter to the public good to have this monopoly controlled by a private profit-motivated party. Besides sucking wealth away, it results in screwed up priorities.

I agree that some things are bigger than private industry (just not too many). But, in your scenario, have you considered how inefficient, and anti-consumer just about any governmental "operation" always morphs into? Just think "DMV", "Social Security", "IRS", "VA", if you need a few examples of bloated, unfriendly, uncaring branches of government when championing having it control the electricity you need for your a/c in the summer.

I think they are better with a "watchdog" role to keep the private company under control and performing in a somewhat positive manner. But somehow the politics have to be removed (probably impossible) so you don't get the farcical decisions like the recent solar decision.

[skugelstadt]

For profit companies is what funds America

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by skugelstadt

For profit companies is what funds America

+1 for making an obvious observation that some don't find obvious. -.5 for grammar though.

[EA]

Wrong.

Government grants and spending has made America into what it is.

Usps, armed forces, and government agencies like the police department, employ the most people.
The government got oil going, electricity going, clean water etc.
The private sector does little but siphon money off the populous and do their best to avoid paying decent wages and taxes.
For profit companies contribute cheap cheeseburgers and pollution.
Non profits contribute roads, bridges, safety regulations, medical breakthroughs, education systems and many other things.

[skugelstadt]

Where does their (armed forces, government etc.) money come from?

[EA]

Federal reserve.

[skugelstadt]

Originally Posted by EA

Federal reserve.

And that comes from:

» How the U.S. Government is Funded

[EA]

They just sort of print money....

Also, look how tiny the percentage of taxes businesses pay.

[BBMW]

^
And yet we have the highest corporate tax rates in the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_tax

[EA]

Look up effective tax rate.......