[notdonspaulding]

Your first thought is completely right.

Your second thought sounds like a good idea. Let's have another competitor (government) funded by private entities via debt equity (bonds) which is paid back by customer receipts (profits) where failure equals unemployment. Actually, this is starting to sound like a business, but with more steps and the power to pass laws affecting its own operating environment. What's the advantage to having the government be the competitor?

[AnthonyMouse]

> What's the advantage to having the government be the competitor?

Voters choose management instead of shareholders. Maybe they'd make different choices. Diversity is good.