You can't run the government like a business...

[CriticalThought]

I keep hearing Trump supporters touting his business experience as evidence he would make a good president. Setting aside whether or not Trump is a worthwhile businessman, there is a serious flaw in the assumption that being a leader in the private sector can translate to the work in the public sector. There is actually a really good Forbes article on this topic...

Does it make sense to run government like a business? The short answer is no. Bear in mind, first, that “efficiency” in the private sector means profit. Hence, to ask that the government be run like a business is tantamount to asking that the government turn a profit. The problem in a nutshell, is that not everything that is profitable is of social value and not everything of social value is profitable. Reality TV, pornography, fashion, sports, and gambling are all of questionable social value, but each is quite profitable and exists in the private sector. Meanwhile, few would argue that the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, police department, fire department, libraries, parks, and public schools are of no social value, and yet they could not exist if they were required to be profitable.

Forbes Welcome

 

[ttwtt78640]

You also cannot compare a government to a non-profit venture because government patronage (taxation) is mandatory. The true test of government management is careful (and honest) cost benefit analysis - that is also applcable to running a business profitable or not.

 

[Velvet Elvis]

Why is it that whenever someone defends our corrupt way of running government, and then turns around and bashes the "govt vs. businsss" thing, they ONLY think about "profit?"

Is it wrong for government to mirror business practice to seek for efficiencies in spending, regardless of the evil "profit" word?
Is it wrong for government to downsize by removing redundant and unnecessary departments, committees, and divisions?
Is it wrong for government to allow states to run state issues, and the federal government to be limited to just federal issues?

There are many ways running government can resemble running a business without profit. In fact, it would be ideal to run government like a business, but instead of profit, it results in lower taxes for everyone.

...wait...government-addicted liberals would never agree to any of this because....liberalism.

 

[Renae]

Why is it that whenever someone defends our corrupt way of running government, and then turns around and bashes the "govt vs. businsss" thing, they ONLY think about "profit?"

Is it wrong for government to mirror business practice to seek for efficiencies in spending, regardless of the evil "profit" word?
Is it wrong for government to downsize by removing redundant and unnecessary departments, committees, and divisions?
Is it wrong for government to allow states to run state issues, and the federal government to be limited to just federal issues?

There are many ways running government can resemble running a business without profit. In fact, it would be ideal to run government like a business, but instead of profit, it results in lower taxes for everyone.

...wait...government-addicted liberals would never agree to any of this because....liberalism.

A business is concerned with profit and ROI.

Government is concerned with power.

Thus the Federal US Government is a smashing success in that it keeps growing in reach.

 

[cabse5]

A business is concerned with profit and ROI.

Government is concerned with power.

Thus the Federal US Government is a smashing success in that it keeps growing in reach.

And most politicians have learned how to be a smashing success, politically.

 

[Gaugingcatenate]

I keep hearing Trump supporters touting his business experience as evidence he would make a good president. Setting aside whether or not Trump is a worthwhile businessman, there is a serious flaw in the assumption that being a leader in the private sector can translate to the work in the public sector. There is actually a really good Forbes article on this topic...



Forbes Welcome

Between having a businessman from the real world vs a community organizer from who knows where [ mentally speaking, not saying he is from Africa ]... well, we gave the community organizing thing a shot, probably time for a bit of real world to intercede to rescue us from the collapse of that fantasy.

 

[MaggieD]

I keep hearing Trump supporters touting his business experience as evidence he would make a good president. Setting aside whether or not Trump is a worthwhile businessman, there is a serious flaw in the assumption that being a leader in the private sector can translate to the work in the public sector. There is actually a really good Forbes article on this topic...

Forbes Welcome

Well, I'm just commenting on the excerpt you've chosen to represent the thesis that you can't run gvmt like a business...because you can't expect gvmt to be profitable.

Forbes has distilled their argument down to that? That when people want gvmt run like a business, they expect gvmt to be profitable?? Ridiculous.

A business operates within a budget. They have budgetary constraints just like I do. They don't have money trees called U.S. Taxpayers in their backyards. When they borrow money, guess what? There's a plan for payback. Imagine! Businesses hire TALENT. They don't fill key positions with patronage payback. They insist on a code of conduct that protects their brand. Violate it at your peril. Can anyone say Bill Clinton? Businesses don't give speeches to empty conference rooms so their bosses will think they're making a difference. And, most important, if you continue to lie about your project goals...or fail to achieve them...you're fired.

But all Forbes thinks running gvmt like a business means is making a profit? Really??

 

[ttwtt78640]

I keep hearing Trump supporters touting his business experience as evidence he would make a good president. Setting aside whether or not Trump is a worthwhile businessman, there is a serious flaw in the assumption that being a leader in the private sector can translate to the work in the public sector. There is actually a really good Forbes article on this topic...



Forbes Welcome

It is undeniable that government policy has a huge impact on private business - many that make public policy decisions without such business experience have little idea of those direct effects and side effects. Too many politicians take the word of and campaign cash from those that wish to alter government policy for personal benefit.

 

[Skeptic Bob]

And if you could, you sure as hell wouldn't want to run it like a Trump business.

 

[AlbqOwl]

I keep hearing Trump supporters touting his business experience as evidence he would make a good president. Setting aside whether or not Trump is a worthwhile businessman, there is a serious flaw in the assumption that being a leader in the private sector can translate to the work in the public sector. There is actually a really good Forbes article on this topic...

Forbes Welcome

I am not surprised that a TCU staffer takes a liberal point of view re national economics, most especially if he embraces the denomination that sponsors TCU as it has become one of the most liberal/statist/progressive church groups in the country. And no doubt he has never run a business or ever had a private sector job for that matter. Lack of such experience can certainly skew one's perspective.

The only difference between running a government and running a business is that government does not have to turn a profit to be long term sustainable.
The only difference between running a government and running a successful not-for-profit business is that government can tax necessary funds to run it while a not-for-profit business generally depends on contributions as well as fees for service.
A successful private business is geared to profit the owners/stockholders but in so doing benefits the whole community and provides the funding for government.
Good government is geared to serve the people who fund it.

But in order to be effective and efficient all good businesses and all good government requires:

1. A competent CEO with the skill to coordinate all the various areas of the business to eliminate unnecessary duplication and ensure that the various departments work together instead of interfering with or working at cross purposes. His/her duty is to carry out the policy and orders developed by the board of directors or in the case of government, the Congress or state legislature or city council or whatever. He/she is in a strong position to advise the governing body as to what policy will best accomplish desired goals.

2. Competent managers who understand the vision and goals of the CEO and hire competent people to accomplish goals and eliminate error and waste as much as possible.

3. Staffing sufficient to utilize people in the most efficient and effective manner within budget.

4. A balanced budget geared to accomplish maximum results with available resources.

 

[MaggieD]

And if you could, you sure as hell wouldn't want to run it like a Trump business.

Why do you say that?

 

[CriticalThought]

Why do you say that?

I don't think you can file for Chapter 11 with the U.S. economy.

 

[MaggieD]

I don't think you can file for Chapter 11 with the U.S. economy.

Yeah, you don't have to. You simply devalue the dollar, deficit spend, control interest rates and spend off the backs of the American Taxpayer. Oh, and then you ignore all of the wonderful models business provides.

 

[katzgar]

Why do you say that?

you are kidding right

 

[Skeptic Bob]

Why do you say that?

Bankruptcy after bankruptcy after bankruptcy...

It is a nice legal technique to avoid paying one's debts but I don't consider it a good way to run a business. If my business ever has to file for bankruptcy I will consider it a failure.

 

[CriticalThought]

Yeah, you don't have to. You simply devalue the dollar, deficit spend, control interest rates and spend off the backs of the American Taxpayer. Oh, and then you ignore all of the wonderful models business provides.

Yes. That is exactly what you do. When in the middle of a catastrophic Recession, you absolutely take those steps. But please, divulge how you would handle it differently. Please share your brilliant "business models".

 

[TobyOne]

You can't run government like a business because their is no profit motive. The best way to run government is to make it as small as possible to minimize inefficiencies and the inherent suckiness that is government. Moreover, a CEO doesn't necessarily make a good government leader. They're used to being despots with overwhelming influence over everyone who works for him and is able to advance his agenda. Not so with government.

Having said that, it is better to elect someone outside of government because they're able to see reality and aren't tainted - at least in the beginning - by government stank.

 

[MaggieD]

Bankruptcy after bankruptcy after bankruptcy...

It is a nice legal technique to avoid paying one's debts but I don't consider it a good way to run a business. If my business ever has to file for bankruptcy I will consider it a failure.

Four bankruptcies throughout his illustrious career.

 

[MaggieD]

Yes. That is exactly what you do. When in the middle of a catastrophic Recession, you absolutely take those steps. But please, divulge how you would handle it differently. Please share your brilliant "business models".

Please read my post at #7.

 

[Velvet Elvis]

Four bankruptcies throughout his illustrious career.

That's four bankruptcies throughout 500 businesses. That's less than 1% failure rate for you government-schooled kids. CNN estimates that Trump has created 34,000 jobs (employees). How many jobs has Hillary created (not counting political aides that are paid by the government)? How many successful businesses has Hillary run? If you Google that exact phrase, most of the hits on the first page are about her campaign financiers.

Trump knows how to run an organization and manage jobs.
Hillary only knows how to run her mouth and pad her bank accounts from crooked Whitewater and Clinton Foundation funds.

 

[David_N]

Why is it that whenever someone defends our corrupt way of running government, and then turns around and bashes the "govt vs. businsss" thing, they ONLY think about "profit?"

Is it wrong for government to mirror business practice to seek for efficiencies in spending, regardless of the evil "profit" word?
Is it wrong for government to downsize by removing redundant and unnecessary departments, committees, and divisions?
Is it wrong for government to allow states to run state issues, and the federal government to be limited to just federal issues?

There are many ways running government can resemble running a business without profit. In fact, it would be ideal to run government like a business, but instead of profit, it results in lower taxes for everyone.

...wait...government-addicted liberals would never agree to any of this because....liberalism.

Is it wrong for government to mirror business practice to seek for efficiencies in spending, regardless of the evil "profit" word?

Yes. There is no reason for a government to ever attempt to run surplus when spending is down/when growth is slow. A business will always try to turn a profit, but they're not a currency issuing entity like the government.

 

[Velvet Elvis]

Yes. There is no reason for a government to ever attempt to run surplus when spending is down/when growth is slow. A business will always try to turn a profit, but they're not a currency issuing entity like the government.

Imagine if businesses mirrored government.

You walk in to McDonalds to buy a hamburger. It costs a dollar. You give the cashier a five. Instead of the cashier giving you four dollars back, he pockets one dollar...gives two to his boss to pocket...and the last dollar is set on fire and burned right in front of you. If you complain, the cashier spits on you and you get escorted out of the store.