Privatization Moves
Regarding the letter from Devon Showley (“Reducing U.S. Deficit,” April 8): The third point states that the federal government and California could reduce the deficit by engaging in “the privatization of many services.”
I would like to point out that this is occurring in Orange County where, in 1992, services previously performed by the county were contracted out at a savings of approximately $600,000.
However, obstacles to privatization do exist, such as public employee unions objecting to losing jobs.
Also, privatization is not a panacea for government.
A cost-benefit analysis should be done on every service that is being considered for privatization.
End services such as education or the criminal justice system do not easily lend themselves to privatization.
MARK LOCASCIO
Huntington Beach
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