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Markets have profits, not public interest at heart

The opinion letter from Charles Falk titled "TSA mess shows failure of big government" conveniently leaves out examples that would demolish the simplistic "government bad - private sector good" narrative.

Did Mr. Falk forget about the mighty Halliburton (Dick Cheney's former company) and its subsidiary KBR that were contracted to feed our troops and build infrastructure for our soldiers in Iraq? After gouging the military (and subsequently the American taxpayer), they knowingly served spoiled food to our troops and electrocuted soldiers in poorly built showers. Good job private sector!

And how can we already forget about Wall Street, the big banks and those trustworthy bond rating companies who nearly toppled the richest and strongest nation on earth? Yes, the free market knows best.

As for TSA airport delays, Mr. Falk forgot to mention the role of the private sector and the flying public. If greedy airlines did not squeeze customers with high baggage fees, fliers might no longer carry on everything but their kitchen sinks, just one reason the system bogs down.

Then there's the record number of weapons people are trying to get through security. Or how about the delays caused by people who choose to remain ignorant of basic TSA rules that have been drilled into our skulls since 9/11? More delays.

Government institutions have their problems for sure. But let's not believe that the private sector will do better when its primary goal is to focus on short-term profits - not what serves the greater good of a country as populated, expansive and diverse as the United States of America.

Mark Plotnick

Vernon Hills

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