[russell]

"Minimal government" is just a slogan used by the people who are buying our government. Their idea of minimal government is eliminating the EPA, fewer bank regulations, and the like. Homeland security, more IP laws, restrictions on privacy? Oh, we have to make some sacrifices for our own security

[politician]

Indeed, the other day I heard some guy on the radio talking about how garbage collection should be provided by the private marketplace rather than as a government service paid for by taxes. Look, that might be a cute experiment in New Hampshire where the population is described in terms of villages, but not in any serious metropolis. I probably should have called in and explained the tragedy of the commons.

[anamax]

> Look, that might be a cute experiment in New Hampshire where the population is described in terms of villages

San Jose's garbage service is nominally provided by a private firm.

What is it about garbage service that you think requires govt employees?

[anigbrowl]

San Jose's garbage service is nominally provided by a private firm.

Under contract to the city. The competition happens at the tender level, it would be highly inefficient to have multiple garbage pickup companies vying for the business of each individual resident. Past experience with private fire engine companies and the like suggests that this would end badly.

[anamax]

> it would be highly inefficient to have multiple garbage pickup companies vying for the business of each individual resident.

Why the assumption that that's the only way to have multiple garbage companies?

If something is actually too inefficient, the costs will stop them and they'll come up with a plan that is "efficient enough".

> Past experience with private fire engine companies

Is irrelevant because the business model is completely different.

Also, that experience is overstated by folks pushing a monolithic model. History is written by the victors.

[anigbrowl]

Fine, show me somewhere that doesn't use a tender-contract model.

If something is actually too inefficient, the costs will stop them and they'll come up with a plan that is "efficient enough".

Why do you think companies seek monopoly concessions, or that distributors seek same from producers in the private marketplace? That's what the current litigation over trash disposal contracts in Sf turns upon: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/07/san-franciscos-garba...

Meanwhile, other approaches to competition in the garbage industry have historically proved problematic: http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/cb_7.htm http://clevelandmob.com/warofwaste.html http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2008/november/galante_110408

[anamax]

> Fine, show me somewhere that doesn't use a tender-contract model.

That's a different issue. Politics....

>> If something is actually too inefficient, the costs will stop them and they'll come up with a plan that is "efficient enough".

> Why do you think companies seek monopoly concessions, or that distributors seek same from producers in the private marketplace?

To avoid competition. Of course that question isn't related to the statement quoted.

Yes, some garbage companies are/were mobbed up. Since some of them had city franchises, it's unclear why you'd bring that up. In any event, it's as irrelevant as the fact that the mob engages in other biz.

[sbalea]

In my suburban New Jersey neighborhood, garbage collection is handled by two private companies. Granted, we're not a serious metropolis, but we're not exactly a village either. The system appears to work, trash gets collected, and whenever my provider attempts to jack up rates I call and threaten to switch and they play ball.