In defense of Public Services

[SHRED]

Streets, Stormwater/Flood Control, Water Utilities, Wastewater Utilities, etc...
These all provide non-profit driven and Democratically accountable services to the public at the local level.

Furthermore, Public Services provide a vital and necessary protective "buffer" for the public good against the ravages of a Capitalist system which is eager to see the privatization of the public sector in order to fatten corporate profit margins, increase the wealth of CEO's and upper management, and enrich the shareholders.

This buffer is dwindling yet at the same time is absolutely essential for the overall public good and well being of "we the people".


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[tularetom]

1. K & R

Eliminate it and you have removed 50% of the rationale for having local government at all IMO.

[FarLeftFist]

2. So true, people need to look past $$$ and profits and start looking at the actual VALUE of service.

"Public Services provide a vital and necessary protective "buffer" for the public good against the ravages of a Capitalist system"

Makes it all very valuable.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. Then there is the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Pillages outlying area and is better and denying their misdeeds than the tobacco companies

[SHRED]

4. California Public Records Act

They are a public entity.

Have you utilized the California Public Records Act?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Public_Records_Act

http://www.thefirstamendment.org/capra.html

http://www.thefirstamendment.org/publicrecordsact.pdf

You have many rights to public information including emails and public cell phone records. Try getting those from a private company.


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[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. I was thinking more along the line of Mono Lake

and other ecological disasters in which they were the cause but continue to deny.

[think]

5. Kick for sensible socialist programs aka: Public works

I sure wouldn't want the Carlyle Group owning my water rights! :

http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/mountain-water-ownership-officially-transferred-to-carlyle-group/article_e9437e78-31d1-11e1-b4dd-001871e3ce6c.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/quick_news/2010/12/carlyle-group-to-acquire-park-water-co.html

Check them out. Here's a very non flattering background vid on the Carlyle Group (Note: The first one minute forty seven seconds of this program is in broadcast in Dutch, The remainder is in English.) :

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article3995.htm