INFORMEDdebate
Should publi c works
YES
from members:
be operated by
private interests?
Eric Wright
Eugene, OR
The need for road
improvement is at
times too broad for
the government.
Eirian DiSanto
Naperville, IL
It seems as though
private companies
do better work and
take more responsibility because
they are always at risk of
losing a contract.
Philip J. Gabriel
Brownsburg, IN
Private companies
are more efficient,
have a higher
accountability
and less red tape.
CHRIS A RUSNAK
NO
from members:
Public works, such as roads and prisons, have historically been
run by government. Today there is a trend to turn over their operation
to private companies.
Proponents of this trend believe that private interests operate more
efficiently than government, with less red tape, lower costs, improved
quality, more choices and less corruption.
Opponents maintain that governments have an incentive to run them
efficiently and honestly because governments are answerable to the people
and officials won’t get reelected if they do a poor job. They contend that
privatization does not prevent corruption, saves no money, jeopardizes the
quality of services and, in some cases, can force states to send jobs overseas.
What do you think?
Arne Carlson
Plymouth, MN
The motives of the two
sides differ significantly.
Infrastructure oversight
rests with the government, construction
with the private sector.
Rhonda McLemore
King of Prussia, PA
Government hopefully
has the best interest
of the people. Once we
lock in long leases with
private companies,
we're at their mercy financially.
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
• www.businessweek.com/print/magazine/content/
07_19/ b4033001.htm?chan=gl
• www.fhwa.dot.gov/PPP/ltla.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privatization
• www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/13/business/privatize.php
R.S. Mapes
Winnetka, CA
Private interests tend
to be profit driven,
which may limit accessibility to lower- and
fixed-income people.
