I've been a public worker.
I've been a corporate cog.
I've been a corporate cog, "on loan" to perform public service, in the "most expedient way" possible. A "stand-in" for a Public worker. Paid by the hour. Paid by the Job.
What I learned, through it all is, the "most expedient" way -- does NOT mean most "cost effective" way (for the taxpayer, especially).
And it does NOT mean "most efficient" in terms of "problem solving" either. Accelerated "get-er-done" Timelines do not lend themselves to performing "smart" quality work.
"Farming out" the public's work often leads to "cutting corners", leads to "band-aid fixes", leads to a "shiny exterior", with often a ramshackle structure beneath the polished veneer.
However when the Government does choose to Privatize its "General Welfare" responsibilities as mandated by the Constitution -- it DOES lead to one sure-fire result:
Megabucks profits to the Corporate Cog-rollers -- those expert-entities who are actually Contracted to do the work.
During my stints as Contracted Corporate Cog stooge professional -- I caught grief from both ends ...
My Corporate Taskmasters riding my case, demanding to know why the Programming Project was not done yet. Get-er-done, boy! That's why you make the Big Bucks!
My Public Agency Project Managers riding my case, demanding to know why the Programming Project was COSTING SO MUCH and Not magically "solving all their business problems". Like yesterday! That's why you make the Big Bucks!
LOTS of Money exchanged Hands (of which I saw only a tiny fraction).
NOT so many Problems actually got Solved. That's just Business.
In my experience, Privatizing out the Government's many Missions -- is NOT the Silver Bullet the Republicans make it out to be.
There is something to be said for the dedication of a career-minded public employee, that the piece-work private "stand in" can never bring to the equation. As a contract worker they don't have that "luxury" -- of actually looking for better ways to help. To serve. To solve.
You see now finally, I'm in the "public service" category ... where there is indeed "a world" of difference ...
Anyone remember the Mars Probe, that crashed and burned unexpectedly upon entering the Martian atmosphere about a decade ago?
Follow up internal investigations determined it was "the fault of the Contractor". (my employer, then)
You see, a programmer working on one system, was using Metric Units. While a different programmer working on a different system, was using U.S. English units.
Funny thing is though, the two computer systems at some critical point would need to talk to each other. Ooops.
Funny thing is, one no bother to check if these detailed specs were being met -- No one had the time. No one had the insight or inclination. It was somebody else's problem.
Everyone was just too busy trying to get-er-done. And a hundred million dollar Taxpayer mission goes up in smoke!
No Problem though. That's just what happens when the Public Sector relies on the Private Sector to be "cost effective" -- call it Growing Pains -- No Worries, the Corporate Contractors are perfectly willing to "try again" next time ... This time with more thorough specifications, and with a beefed-up Quality Assurance process too (a temp person dedicated to "testing code" for metric units -- that'll fix it!)
Piece work. Temp work. Get in, Get out. Everyone collect your checks, and go home.
Mission Accomplished! No harm, No foul.
Anyone remember the War on Terror, that was "outsourced" unexpectedly, upon the aftermath of 9/11, about a decade ago?
Follow up internal investigations determined it was "Nobody's fault" the War was still going on endlessly. With the forces of Terror, still on the March.
You see, mercenaries working in one country, were using one set of Marching Orders. While different mercenaries working in a different country, were using another set of Marching Orders.
No wonder the stated Objectives of those many Missions, so often crashed and burned.
Afterall, it's very hard to persuade a people "you're there to help", when you keep hurting the "wrong bad guys". Ooops our bad. Well do better next time.
No Problem though -- for the Corporate Contractors that is. They got their Checks. They got their "get of jail free" cards. They got to ride on the company jet.
They accomplished their Mission! Get in, Get out. ... Then, "It's Miller-time!" ... anyone call 'corporate' yet to find out where the next gig is? This fighting terror is 'hard work' ... a 100K a year hard! (net).
And hundreds of Billions of our somber Taxpayer "Mission dollars", go up in smoke.
Anyone remember that House in Tennessee, that crashed and burned unexpectedly, after a small rubbish fire got out of control, out by the shed; all the while the local "privatized" fire-fighters stood by and watched it burn?
You see that Home owner, for what ever reason, had failed to pay his fire-fighting dues, of $75 that year. Maybe he forgot. Maybe he hated goverment taxes. Who knows. ... No difference though ...
No pay, No Spray!
You see, it's in the Public Service-Contract Agreement, that your local Representative authorized with us, last year. It's nothing personal man. Stuff happens! We hope you had insurance, dude. Better luck next time. Bummer man.
Who Benefits from Privatization?
Keith Olbermann, Robert Reich
http://www.youtube.com/...
What is wrong with this picture?
Shouldn't Public Service ... actually include the concept of "Service" ?
Shouldn't providing for the "General Welfare" ... actually leave people, Well ?
Shouldn't a Fire-fighter's "Mission" ... actually "let them" put out Fires !?
Sorry, in GOP's fictionalized world -- the free-markets when left to themselves, will eventually "put out" all fires -- even if it only in the "next time" it happens. Maybe after the public learns some hard lessons. Afterall the contract SPELLS OUT, who we can and cannot help:
"Wake up folks, it's going to cost you MORE, if you're expecting us to do 'freebies'!"
We're NOT a Charity -- we're a Business! You wanta play, you gotta PAY!
It's in the fine print. Read the contract, dudes. you snooze, you lose.
you learn, or you burn.
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Privatization is "cheaper" -- For Whom, exactly?
In the short run, the elected officials signing all the new Privatized Contracts -- make out like Bandits! (as Gov. Christie is planning to do.)
They look bright, like a shiny new penny. They cut immediate costs. They're so smart.
In the long run, however the local Public loses out -- BIG TIME ... and eventually the Taxpayer too. We lose out in Quality of Life, in Safety and Security. We lose out in a general sense of community well-being.
Afterall, when your Home can burn down around you -- for being late on a bill -- it's hard to say "your general welfare" has been met.
In the long run, Contract Workers usually end up creating more Problems than they Solve ... (in my experience) ...
-- you see, Solving real-life actual Problems, to improve the "general welfare" of everyone, well that's NOT in their Govt Contract. That's not their Mission.
Their Mission is to MAKE MONEY ... Lots of it. You want us to play, you gotta PAY! It's just the way of the Corporate "expediency".
You know, you all civic-minded people, -- really, WHEN are you going to learn to read the "fine print" ...
It's all spec'ed out for you in Black and White. There are "cost savings" to be had NOW ... even if those "savings" are merely "Penny-wise, but Pound-foolish" in the long run. No worries.
Where it all ends up 10 years from now ... Well that's somebody else's problem, isn't it? It always is.
That's in the contract too -- you know, our Contractor's Expiration Date. Our Due Date. Our "re-up" clause. If you don't like our work, you can find some other Stooges to do it for you.
Meanwhile OUR short-term Mission is getting Accomplished. Thank you very much. Cha-Ching!
Our objectives keep getting met, you can be dang sure of that! There are plenty of temp-workers out there to "fill the bill" ...
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Diarist Fact Check: Let me show you some of the new gigs Corporate America is gearing up for next, out on that short-term horizon:
Ohio Budget Advisory Task Force Issue Paper -- The Ohio Society of CPAs
Privatization in Ohio Government -- Version 1.0 -- Sept. 2010
ISSUE: Privatization in Ohio Government
[...]
Examples of Privatized Services
One privatization expert at the City University of New York identified over 200 city and county services that have been contracted out to private firms (including for-profit and non-profit).
Some of the most prevalent areas of local government privatization include:
-- Accounting, financial and legal services
-- Administrative human resource functions (e.g., payroll services, recruitment/hiring, training, benefits administration, records management, etc.)
-- Core IT infrastructure and network, Web and data processing
-- Risk management (claims processing, loss prevention, etc.)
-- Planning, building and permitting services
-- Printing and graphic design services
-- Road maintenance
-- Building/facilities financing, operations and maintenance
-- Park operations and maintenance
-- Zoo operations and maintenance
-- Stadium and convention center management
-- Library services
-- Mental health services and facilities
-- Animal shelter operations and management
-- School construction (including financing), maintenance and non-instructional services
-- Revenue-generating assets (garages, parking meters, etc.)
-- Major public infrastructure assets (roads, water/wastewater systems, airports, etc.)
Following are three main recommendations that, once enacted, New Jersey believes to be the most promising:
-- Privatization of state psychiatric hospitals [...]
-- Correctional services privatization [...]
-- Public-private partnerships to finance the construction and maintenance of new or expanded state infrastructure [...]
Beyond these three, additional privatization opportunities identified by the New Jersey Task Force include:
-- Vehicle fleet maintenance and management;
-- Performance-based highway maintenance (e.g., bundled “fence-to-fence” maintenance contracts);
-- Surplus asset divestiture;
-- Emergency service patrols on state highways and interstates;
-- State parking facilities;
-- Water;
-- Printing services;
-- Workers’ compensation claims processing;
-- State rest areas;
-- NJ Turnpike toll collection;
-- NJ Transit bus routes and vehicle maintenance;
-- Statewide vehicle emission inspections;
-- Motor vehicle titling and registration;
-- Higher education facility maintenance;
-- Child support services;
-- Hospital debt collection;
-- Golf course management; and
-- Housing and construction code enforcement.
Get rid of those "greedy" Public Employees, -- that will make your Budgets look all shine and new, Guvernors!
Afterall isn't that's what the "Race to the Bottom" -- what it is all about? ... keeping up Appearances?
Oh yeah, Contract-writers you might want to add an "exception clause" to the Fire-Fighting contracts -- Pictures like this one, make it difficult to keep all our Privatization Goals ... below the radar ... if you catch my drift?
Firefighters Let House Burn Down Over $75
http://www.youtube.com/...
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Diarist's Parting thought:
We believe that if men have the talent to invent new machines that put men out of work, they have the talent to put those men back to work.
-- John F. Kennedy
Hmmm? with leadership like that, we might actually make it to the moon, someday, don't you think?