[danielmarkbruce]

Because they get a truckload of money to spend.

There is also the reasonable argument that government run entities are wasteful.

So, it's not a simple thing.

[Gustomaximus]

I've thought a good policy would be govt asset sale profit gets held in trust for ~12 years.

This way it cant be a balance the budget act, and the cash might benifit your opponent 3 election cycles down the track.

It probably wont stop overselling of assets but would definitely take away a short term incentive.

[danielmarkbruce]

It's probably a good idea. Or, if they can't run deficits (many US states have this) and asset sales don't count as revenue you'd probably be in a similar situation.