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One problem I see in this discussion, as with most issues, is that people are basing their arguments on anecdotal evidence or different studies that provide them with different sets of "facts."  Based on what they are referencing, I can't disagree with most people's conclusions.  I wonder, however, about the accuracy of their "facts."  Why is it so hard to get a set of facts that look at the bigger picture that we can all agree on?  Until we do that, I'm afraid we will be talking past each other, raising the Us vs. Them walls, and never really making progress.  Also, a number of people have pointed out that we have corruption, mismanagement, waste, and inefficiency in both the public and private sector.  It's individual people taking advantage of their "power," but certain systems can promote less accountability than others.  Let's get our facts straight and consistent, audit/evaluate to make sure the job we're paying for is getting done (and in an efficient and effective manner), be thankful for all those--both public and private--that do a great job, and start rooting out the overpaid and inefficient whether at the top, bottom, or in the middle.

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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