[ProAm]

Im not really joking, their ability to do anything efficiently or correctly for a reasonable sum of money is embarrassing. I know it's a joke as well, but it's funny because it's true.

[Retric]

Social Security has vastly lower overhead than any equivalent private program.

Now, you can see crazy waste on both sides EX: Drug Advertising. But, it's hard to look at this objectively.

[mozumder]

My experience is the opposite. Private companies seem completely inefficient compared to government, and I've worked as engineers in both.

Really it is only a right-wing profit-driven talking point to say government is inefficient, mostly to protect against their profits that government takes away.

Government is exceedingly efficient.

[ProAm]

I've worked in both as well and vehemently disagree.

[mozumder]

The numbers support my case. You can send a mail with the USPS for 50 cents anywhere in the country, but it costs $5-$10 to do the same with UPS or FedEx.

Literally 10x-20x costlier.

Government just doesn't have to waste money on things like profit or marketing that private companies need to do.

[ProAm]

USPS is a private entity under the government, they fund themselves. They receive no funding from the government.

You can look at the military and at obamacare/heathcare.gov for examples.

[mozumder]

You can also look at the USPS as an example, since it IS a government entity that doesn't have to serve profits.

Also, the military and healthcare is more efficient in government, but you probably already knew that already.