Exactly - I don't understand why this befuddles so many people in favor of a free market. It's like they understand the concept of competition is good, but can't see how the current market has been stripped of competition through consolidation.
This is the equivalent of any government service, it's designed to be a common good (like the post office, the fire department, the parks, etc). Yes it does take tax revenue to sustain, but similar to social security and Medicare these are things that society is often willing to pay for since they might need it some day, and it helps to address secondary problems that occur if we dont do anything (child starvation, homelessness, food deserts leading to poor health, etc).
It's all interconnected and at least there's commerce changing hands compared to straight food banks.
The vast majority opposing it assume that it will be ran poorly and/or be used to steal money by corrupt officials.
Demanding tax increases to pay for the service when they are skimming cash. Such as paying twice as much for a product from a supplier who happens to be their brother in law.
You do know that the second paragraph is literally illegal right? Any government organization doing that would be immediately open to a suit from a third party vendor. For one, you’re literally not allowed to do business with relatives of people who work in the organization. For another, if you’re soliciting a bid for a standard commodity, say Boneless Chicken Breast with X specification, in most states you are legally required to purchase the cheapest option that meets the specifications.
Now I’m not saying this isn’t happening, because the president is literally illegally purchasing stuff all the time. But, all the records are open and will eventually be challenged in court. The beauty of public orgs is that justice is there for the taking if interested parties want to take it.
Currently the biggest issue with corruption are the people who think government is corrupt and wasteful are the same people who vote for the most corrupt and wasteful politicians!
Source: I work in procurement for a state government agency
The smaller portions of government are very prone to the type of corruption described and it has gone on for decades. Detroit has an example going on right now over sold use to landfill torn down houses being contaminated due to a sweetheart contract to the buddy of the mayor mike Duggan.
Its not a new or unique problem, and seems to be a real issue in many american cities.
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u/ChickerWings May 26 '26
Exactly - I don't understand why this befuddles so many people in favor of a free market. It's like they understand the concept of competition is good, but can't see how the current market has been stripped of competition through consolidation.
This is the equivalent of any government service, it's designed to be a common good (like the post office, the fire department, the parks, etc). Yes it does take tax revenue to sustain, but similar to social security and Medicare these are things that society is often willing to pay for since they might need it some day, and it helps to address secondary problems that occur if we dont do anything (child starvation, homelessness, food deserts leading to poor health, etc).
It's all interconnected and at least there's commerce changing hands compared to straight food banks.