Often, Government is seen as a solution to our problems. The fact that they're not for profit is often what leads people to believe they will operate in a humane, logical and reasonable way. This is false.
Institutions are results-driven with "unlimited" funding.
Government institutions, of course, are funded by the Government, and the Government will borrow in order to keep these institutions running. As these institutions are not profit-driven, they will simply ask for more money in order to achieve their goals.
Businesses would cut the fat, look for what they're doing wrong, fire incompetent staff, and offer redundancies. Government just does not do this.
The tyranny of institutions
Take a moment to think of a Government institution AS a business. Just a different type of business.
Government institutions are essentially monopolies, and they suffer from the same negatives that monopolies do, but even worse.
Guaranteeing money to a business removes the incentives to improve operational efficiency and would make the business operate without consideration for its workers (except those at the top of the chain) AND without consideration for its customers.
An easy example is Gas, Electric, and Water companies. They are always looked at as exploitive. Because of the unique operation of these companies, they don't get compete very much. This is bad for consumers, but if you think Government is the solution, think again.
Businesses that don't compete can:
- grow stale, stop innovating and get stuck in their ways
- becoming corrupt and/or inefficient
What stops businesses from this negativity is consumer choice, and pressure from shareholders who have invested their limited funding and want a good return. If a business didn't fix itself, it would fall apart
If Government took over these sectors, they would suffer from the same inefficiencies, but would never concern themselves. And once this becomes public sector, criticism will be met with fierce opposition. Because if you want a non-government solution then you just want people to suffer! - What a dangerous point of view.
So... We'll just end up with corrupt and inefficient institutions instead of corrupt and inefficient businesses?
Yes. And this is worse.
Governments put pressure on businesses and threaten exploitive ones.
Governments don't put this kind of pressure on their own institutions.
The real solution to these sectors would actually be MORE business. MORE competition and MORE innovation, not Government takeover
Moving on... what did I mean exactly by results-driven?
Well, now I've explained the negative impact of Government institutions, we can move on to this, very important point.
Each institution will focus on a specific set of statistics as a measurement of their performance, and the answer to "poor" performance? More Government! Give the institutions more power and more (unlimited) money!
Now I've covered the business vs government, let's look at two existing institutions, one of which you would not want to be replaced by private business.
National Health Service
The NHS in the UK is our "free" healthcare system. Except it costs more than it should, it's terribly inefficient and makes Private Healthcare more expensive because everyone has to pay to the NHS through their taxes if they work.
The NHS is often measured on its ability to treat patients in A&E, and the solution to fixing their inability is always more money. The mere suggestion that the system should change causes uproar, and you'll be painted as someone who wants people to die.
If you measured the NHS on its ability to innovate - something businesses do to themselves - it would be pretty poor. But we don't. They don't. The NHS is arguably staler than any privately owned business in the UK.
Police and "Justice" Systems
Before I start on this, I'd like to say. I don't believe Police should be owned by the private sector, but I'm pointing out how dangerous this government institution can get. They are a necessary evil.
So now here is where it gets dangerous. The Police measure themselves on the ability to catch the worst criminals in our society. Individuals within the police force will pride themselves on the number of criminals they catch and will be rewarded with promotions if they do so.
This encourages:
- Corruption
- Planted or fabricated evidence
- False defendant statements/stories
- Missing evidence
- Poor investigations
- Ignoring evidence that favors the defendant
- Scared and silenced individuals on trial
- Innocent victims of the system pleading guilty to avoid jail-time
- Pleading guilty means no minimum jail sentence for many crimes.
- More spying powers
- Loss of privacy for the public
- Makes it easier for corruption to take place
What are the "worst criminals" then?
The worst criminals are the ones that commit what society consider to be the worst crimes.
i.e. Murder, Rape, etc
This is all terrifying, but how much is this really happening?
Well, a friend is currently dealing with almost all of the above. And they haven't told anyone other a few very close friends. Why? Because the crime they're accused of is too awful for them to go public, in fear they would be outed, attacked, and would not be believed.
How the fuck do we solve any of this?
The answer is less government.
- Less police power.
- Fewer regulations.
- Fewer and smaller institutions.
- An educated society on what Government really is: A beast and a necessary evil that must be tamed at all times.
- Elected representatives that understand the impact of elected officials.
- NO MORE PRIVATE PRISONS that can PAY officials in these institutions to fill their prisons.
- Stop publicly ousting people until they're found guilty
- Change laws regarding minimum sentences that encourage and scare the innocent into pleading guilty.
We need a massive reduction in state-power and new laws that instill freedom and liberty at their core.
The impact of government institutions is truly terrifying, and silently around us innocent people are being arrested and pushed through the system like a slaughterhouse, ignoring the cries of the victims inside. Alas, if only those walking past could hear them. If only they had a voice.
Wait a minute, this is socialism I'm talking about
Yes, I am. It's bad.
Socialism is attractive. The idea that a Government can create a fairer society for people by controlling the majority of the economy is one of false promises. It only separates the ruling class from the rest of us, creates tyranny.
Still not convinced? Think of a political leader you like the LEAST in your country and imagine them as the CEO of your healthcare provider, your boss, the owner of all of the shops you buy from.
And if you really want to see the full picture, try reading
The Gulag Archipelago