There's an column in the Star Trib today about the privatization of the police: you know, the for-profit goons hired by corporations and wealthy citizens to give "special service" above and beyond the municipal police. Sounds like a good idea, right? Our cops are overworked, cities are over-budget -- let's bring in the private sector to "clean things up" more "efficiently" right?
Not so fast. Our cops have to abide by the Constitution -- you know, that much-maligned little document that the Administration is trying so hard to eviscerate -- but the privates DON'T. They're not government, they don't have to give you due process. Oh, you can sue them in civil court, but good luck with that, after the fact, after you're detained, beaten, etc, etc.
And it's not just local cops. Prisons are run by for-profit corps, and guess what their incentive is? More prisoners = more money? Where do you think their lobbying dollars go to?
And, the Star Trib point out: "...there are about 20,000 private police and military personnel in Iraq, working for the Defense Department."
What's next, people?
27 February 2007
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