[flangola7]

I don't see a reason something as critical as transaction networks should remain privatized, it should be operated by society (via democratic government), not private interests.

We don't have private corporations operate highways or the federal mail system. They may operate (heavily regulated) airlines, but not the traffic control that manages their interactions.

Imagine having to pay a "takeoff clearance fee" or a toll station at every highway on-ramp.

[diogocp]

Private highways are very common in Europe. So is mail delivery by private companies (Deutsche Post is a big one).

In Portugal, the mail company is private and 90% of the highways are operated by private companies. And this is a country where the Socialist party has been in power for 20 of the last 30 years.

[flangola7]

That is highly surprising to me. How do you have 90% privatized highways without toll booths everywhere? Without a universal funding source like taxes how is construction and repair funded?