QUOTE(mopster @ Jul 10 2012, 04:11 PM)
just wondering, listing/privatising national assets is similar to selling your country away.. however, it is also known that governments shouldnt be running businesses... what is the best way to deal with national assets ?
In the US, the government only runs businesses that are losing money. One example is passenger train service.
Outside a few cities like NYC and DC, most Americans drive, so passenger train service is not profitable. It is, nonetheless, essential for those few people who cannot afford to own a car. (Or people who have their driver license suspended, like Sandra Bullock in Speed.) This is where government steps in to help.
As soon as the business becomes profitable, the government, and particularly Republicans, want to sell it away.
I support privatizing national assets, so long as our beautiful beaches and national parks will not exclusive to the rich & famous.