this post was submitted on 05 Jun 2024
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What did I say that made you think I have an "incorrect understanding of public versus private sector"?
Do you mean that because I think the government wouldn't be good at running a business that I misunderstood something? The us government is famously bad about spending outrageous amounts for simple things. Cups that cost over $1,000, toilet seats for over $10,000.. there's tons of things like this. That may be fine when you don't have to worry about being profitable, but it won't fly when trying to run a business.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/19/opinion/pentagon-budget-military-spending-waste.html
IIRC the reason military spending is so extreme is because the US military is required by law to have the paperwork to prove their entire supply chain is domestic, as part of a worst case readiness thing. Could be wrong though, not like I've really looked into it all that much.
The US military gets so much stuff from other countries. There was a "Buy American Act" about 100 years ago, which still stands, but it allows for so many exceptions that get used very often. There have been a few other similar acts since then, but they all include well-used exceptions.
What does this have to do with comparing the public us military to a similar private organization?
When the service provided is influencing world politics and securing our country, I don’t think efficiency means the same thing. I also don’t think there are any other private sector businesses that could compare to us military. And even if there are, I would assume that all of their workers were trained by the us military.
I’m not sure the United States military is the example you think it is
You're so cryptic. I don't know if it is intentional or not, but you really don't answer clearly or explain your reasoning.
I mean, I guess the us military is the largest military in the world apparently even if you added up all the other militaries together.
So by your logic there is no other private or public military that is better than the United States, but their goal is being the best, so but, and
If you are suggesting that the military of a government can be better run by a private organization, such as a corporation…. I mean, I guess you are saying that oligarchy and corporate rule is better than democracy?
To start with such a large organization won’t benefit your argument in any way
, and I suppose the service of the military is being the best?
By what metric do you think the US has a military larger than all other militaries combined? The firepower index puts the US at the top, but most other metrics don't. Even with the firepower index, though, no stretch of the imagination would put the US above all other militaries combined.
The reason the US military is as powerful as it is is not because it is such a well run organization. It is because it gets so much money from taxes. It has nothing to do with governments being able to run things more efficiently than for-profit companies. So many issues in the world are a direct result of how hyper efficient companies are. Running more efficiently doesn't mean it is better for the world. The opposite is true.
So, my question would be what private company are you trying to compare to the United States military?
Well, my whole point is that just that government doesn't usually do as good at running things as private companies. Another big example would be NASA vs. SpaceX. I think it is much easier to come up with examples of private companies getting more bang for their buck than governments. My hunch would be that it has to do with profit incentives. Government workers generally get a set salary whereas private companies stand to gain a whole lot more if they have big innovations.
Also, oftentimes, there is an incentive for government agencies to get involved in worse deals if it means siphoning money off to friends, whereas this makes less sense in private companies.
Well, again. Show me an example of a private company that is comparable to the United States military.
In the case of space x. It is precisely space x’s ability to waste money that made it so that it could do the research and development.
NASA would never be allowed to test and blow up ten rockets to build a new space ship.
Your own examples are proving you wrong
And now you are just rambling
Yeah, the freedom to research is a good thing and leads to increased efficiency. SpaceX was able to make reusable rockets in a fraction of the time that NASA has been around. It's astonishing how badly you want to cling to this narrative that governments run highly efficient organizations. This isn't even something that people generally debate about. NASA is literally hiring SpaceX to make their rockets because they are so much better at it. Your stance is that Billy is better at making burgers than Sally and yet Billy is literally buying Sally's burgers instead of making their own. The issue is that you came into discussion with a conclusion, and now that you are trying to justify it, it's just slipping between your fingers. There's no shame in taking some time to rethink things if it's not adding up.