[tjic]

Libraries work ok.

Re police: just reading an article over at popehat.com about how a cop framed someone for a murder and sent her to death row.

Re roads: here in Massachusetts we've got toll roads that spend 80 cents of every dollar collected...on paying the tolltakers.

Re army: take a look at the defense budget some time.

There are some decent arguments in favor of government, but you picked some of the worst.

[stevenameyer]

Would those things be better if they were privately run for profit? My personal opinion is that there are certain things that you can't allow the the private sector to run because it leaves too much room for abuse by individuals looking to make a profit. As a Canadian who's mother is a doctor, the one thing that really bothers me about the healthcare system in the US is that from a business stand point insurance companies are more profitable the more claims they deny, which really doesn't sit well with me. I'm not saying our system is perfect by any means, or that the US doesn't have a high quality of healthcare (if you can afford it). But the thought of someone making a profit on someone else not get a medical treatment that they need leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[paulgb]

Libraries, police, roads, and the army are great examples in favor of government. All you've done is demonstrate that there are exceptions, as there are to anything.

[chris_mahan]

The defense budget is not an exception to the rule. It is the rule. (Almost the Rule, as in kings and rulers.)

[weavejester]

Are you suggesting that we'd be better off with private security forces replacing the role of the police and army?