July 13, 2010
New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie is proposing the transfer to the private sector many tasks government now performs. Among other things, these would include car inspections, psychiatric hospitals, Turnpike toll booths, preschool classrooms and certain tasks inside prisons.
Estimates are that such privatization could save the state $210 million a year. Former Republican Congressman Richard Zimmer, who headed a task force to look into government work that could be done by the private sector, said, "The question is: why do you continue to operate in a manner that's more costly and less effective?"
That is, indeed, the question. Margaret Thatcher privatized many big government programs and property and the British economy responded. If New Jersey can do it, so can the federal government.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
