Now don't get me wrong. I'm a capitalist to the core. I firmly believe that if I wish to, I should be allowed to own and operate a business within any (reasonable) means I wish. I also firmly believe that should my policies and business practices be out of line with what the public wishes, I should be allowed to go under. However, there are certain times in which I believe capitalism may not be the best solution.
If the parking meter deal put a bad taste in your mouth, try swallowing this:
Chicago is considering leasing its water system to help fix the budget.
Sadly, this is nothing new for the city of Chicago. The idea behind this "leasing" is that the government will essentially lease out a service to a private company, in exchange for cash now. In this case, it's the water system. About a year ago, it was the parking system. Now, I believe that this idea of "leasing" can be very beneficial for a city in need of funds now. It provides a way for a city to evade debt, but yet without raising taxes and/or underfunding certain departments that may (or may not) be vital. In essence, it can help out a city in a tight spot, and of course help out the private company as well - and all within the bounds defined by law. However, this is where the change comes in: parking spaces are a luxury, water, on the other hand, is a necessity. Now, logic would deem that Chicago has already raised water prices, after all, why sell out a commodity when one can just raise the price a bit? Unfortunately, it seems Chicago has already exhaused said option.
Residents say rates are breaking the bank.
Homer Glen resident Lillie Gajda said her family has tried to cut back to offset high rates.
"Oh, we do everything -- we've changed out toilets, we've changed our showerheads, we've changed faucets, we've changed dishwashers," she said.
Mayor Jim Daley says residents pay about three times more than those in neighboring communities. He said Illinois-American Water Co. offers the same explanation.
Now, back to the parking spot example. Let's say that one is sick of the high rates, but manages anyway. Chicago leases it out, and the rates kick (because of course, the company will wish to make immediate profits). What can be done? The answer is simple, our person in question would simply go out and find a private garage, and buy a monthly pass/membership. The problem would be solved. Also, should this happen enough, the company would be forced to lower the prices to compete with the private garages. However, what can be done with the water? Let's say Chicago does lease out the system (and hopefully they don't sell out for a fraction of the actual value... again), what could be done to compete against a city water company? One can't just switch suppliers overnight, like is possible with a parking space.
In my opinion, this is dangerously close to the city selling out it's actual values. Like I previously stated, I am a capitalist. I firmly believe in privatization of certain industries, and firmly believe that some industries the government is in right now would be better run in the private sector. However, I do not believe this is one of them. It has been said that the tax is the price one pays to live in a civilized society Taxes are the price one has to pay to have access to police, fire, and militarial protection from all threats: whether they be foreign, domestic, or natural. These are all sectors in which I firmly believe the private sector should stay out of. I do not believe there should be a private company in charge of public safety, as this has led to major corruption and price-gouging in the past. Chicago, I understand you're in (desperate) need of cash to finance your affairs in this coming year, but that is not the way to do it. If they pass this measure, that clearly is putting the cities needs before that of its inhabitants. Prices are already so high that the inhabitants are having trouble paying, and should a company come in and take over, there is a high chance those prices could go up. Water is a necessity, not a luxury. Water is also a commodity that is not easily changed. One can't just change their "water supplier" with a phone call. This would give a private company unprecedented and unparalleled access to a vital resource of an American citizen.
In short, it's been said that the difference between delegation and dereliction is very thin. A good officer will delegate command and duties, leading to a more effective and more efficient leadership model. A bad officer will allow others to run the show (dereliction of duties), and in the long run will lend himself to position of "middleman", and will eventually be cut out as an unnecessary step in achievement of the goal. Chicago, you're in enough trouble as it is. The last thing Chicago needs right know is to be seen by its denizens as unwilling to step up, and fix the broken economics within its city. Sadly, this would imply that one might fix the problem *without* screwing over the inhabitants of the city. Choose wisely, Chicago, for the world is watching.
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