PREDATORY PRIVATIZATION: EXPLOITING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, ENRICHING THE 1 PERCENT, UNDERMINING DEMOCRACY
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THE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL AND ITS CORPORATE AND RIGHT-WING ALLIES PROMOTE ANTI-DEMOCRATIC PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC ASSETS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
The combination of state and local budget crises and the 2010 election of anti-government ideologues in many states has left taxpayers and communities increasingly vulnerable to predatory “privatization” of government services and public infrastructure. Privatization, whether promoted as a short-term way to fill a budget gap or as part of a long-term campaign against the government and unionized workers, can bring disastrous long-term consequences for American families and taxpayers as well as for the democratic process.
Privatization is a wonky term that can obscure the real mechanism and process at work. Through privatization schemes to outsource traditional governmental functions, taxpayer dollars are diverted from the building of public assets and institutions to create long-term revenue streams and profit for corporations. The privatization of governmental function