Keep in mind that the last US administration made the argument that private military contractors could do certain jobs traditionally performed by non-combat units in the military. The role of PMCs working on behalf of the US in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, and plenty of other places around the world has certainly been debated, but not nearly as much in the US as it probably should be. There are lots of documented examples in which PMCs have been implicated in all kinds of illegal activity, but Americans generally don’t care. And tell Americans that a PMC can do the same job cheaper, and plenty of folks will totally jump on board with the idea of privatizing more and more of the military’s traditional responsibilities.

In many small communities, things like EMS and fire departments are either voluntary organizations or private businesses. They often receive very little federal funding, instead relying on state funding, donations, or some sort of business models. Some are non-profits that charge a fee for services, and all the money is fed back into the service to maintain equipment and training. Others are for-profit businesses designed to provide a service and make a buck.

Never underestimate the profit motive in the US. It can lead to certain kinds of logic that I’m sure could only arise in the US.

To me, it’s too easy just to assign that as the singular, dominant motive to the opposition meme that’s emerged. It’s too easy to blame any of it on any one reason. After 9/11, the country took a fairly wide swing to the right, and many liberals had their own apoplectic fit. The pendulum swung the other way late last year and early this year. Any time that happens, the far opposite end of the spectrum is going to feel like “our country is being taken away from us.”

The presentation of the debate though tends to take over the actual debate itself. Or, to echo Marshall McLuhan: the medium (news) has become the message (other side = evil!). It always appears that the spectacle somehow equates to broad representation of the majority view simply because it’s loud. Tea Partiers think they represent “the People.” Anti-war activists argued the same thing. I didn’t protest with anti-war activists in spite of my opposition to the Iraq invasion because 1) they were completely counterproductive, and 2) simply focused on assertions that I didn’t think were true (“No blood for oil”).

Travis, always leave it to you to complicate my thought process! That’s a good thing, though.