CommuterPageBlog reader Jim shares a post from conservative pundit Andrew Sullivan's blog about the pros and cons of privatizing roads in the wake of the Minnesota bridge collapse that is worth a read (Privatizing the Roads, August 4, 2007). From the article:
"Privatization just replaces a public monopoly with a private monopoly...On the whole, the case for any grand benefit coming from privatization doesn't really withstand tough scrutiny. It's more just a way for state governments facing tight budgets to unload an expense and get a decent cash windfall from the initial sale. At the end of the day, a public monopoly on the roads is preferable. If people get really angry about a bad road — in case of a bridge collapse, for example — they can vote for candidates who promise road improvements. But the private monopoly wouldn't have that safety mechanism, and the owners would be unlikely to face any true competition, either."
Agreed. Enjoy the post.
Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.
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