Re.: public schools and privatization

[Chris Brady <cdbrady@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mike Friedman observed: "do you know how the Canadian government did
away with its national health program? They slashed and slashed until
the health program became a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure. Then
folks began demanding its elimination and turning to private health
care, HMOs, etc.That's been happening for quite some time, at least
since the Reagan years, with public schools."

I was actually thinking about including this very concept in my related
post!
This scam seems to be the prefered method of privatization of national
property and social services: defund public institutions until they are
no longer tenable and then declare how much better service private
enterprise provides, how much more efficient, inexpensive, etc., while
harping on "bloated" BIG government, bureaucratic arrogance, etc.

All the consumerist chords of capital are plucked un such campaigns
while also insinuating a managerial sympathy in the common population
--over fellow workers.  I have even heard state-employed electricians
complain against highway workers for standing around while one guy does
the work: okay, try controlling a heavy, loud, jerking, compressed-air
jackhammer for eight hours straight with only a half hour off for
lunch.  Ever see a sixty-five year old jack-hammer operator?  The media
has a marvelous way of making people chafe about teachers or busdrivers
if there's a strike, but no opinion monger seems to even hint that
perhaps the strike was a weapon of final resort --after management
refused to keep up with the CPI, or return the favor of give-backs.

Amtrack is on the same chopping block for the same reasons as Mike
noted.  It's about time we turned the tables on these lying privateers.
If society wants more accountability, then make society *socially*
responsible for the works.  Sounds redundant, but the point should be
made.  I think that responsibility is called socialism.


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