I've been a public worker.
I've been a corporate cog.
I've been a corporate cog, "on loan" to perform public service, in the "most expedient way" possible. A "stand-in" for a Public worker. Paid by the hour. Paid by the Job.
What I learned, through it all is, the "most expedient" way -- does NOT mean most "cost effective" way (for the taxpayer, especially).
And it does NOT mean "most efficient" in terms of "problem solving" either. Accelerated "get-er-done" Timelines do not lend themselves to performing "smart" quality work.
"Farming out" the public's work often leads to "cutting corners", leads to "band-aid fixes", leads to a "shiny exterior", with often a ramshackle structure beneath the polished veneer.
However when the Government does choose to Privatize its "General Welfare" responsibilities as mandated by the Constitution -- it DOES lead to one sure-fire result:
Megabucks profits to the Corporate Cog-rollers -- those expert-entities who are actually Contracted to do the work.
During my stints as Contracted Corporate Cog stooge professional -- I caught grief from both ends ...
My Corporate Taskmasters riding my case, demanding to know why the Programming Project was not done yet. Get-er-done, boy! That's why you make the Big Bucks!
My Public Agency Project Managers riding my case, demanding to know why the Programming Project was COSTING SO MUCH and Not magically "solving all their business problems". Like yesterday! That's why you make the Big Bucks!
LOTS of Money exchanged Hands (of which I saw only a tiny fraction).
NOT so many Problems actually got Solved. That's just Business.
In my experience, Privatizing out the Government's many Missions -- is NOT the Silver Bullet the Republicans make it out to be.
There is something to be said for the dedication of a career-minded public employee, that the piece-work private "stand in" can never bring to the equation. As a contract worker they don't have that "luxury" -- of actually looking for better ways to help. To serve. To solve.
You see now finally, I'm in the "public service" category ... where there is indeed "a world" of difference ...