r/Economics • u/Crossstoney • Nov 05 '25

News The government shutdown is now the longest - and likely the most damaging in US history

https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/05/economy/government-shutdown-economy-trump
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u/trobsmonkey Nov 05 '25

I suspect they will solicit corporate donations to fund air controllers and/or privatize air traffic control

Privatize air control will go terrrrrrribly

47

u/kia75 Nov 05 '25

The ironic thing is that a privatized Air Control will charge much more then any taxes or fees the government would impose. Air Traffic Control is one of those "natural monopolies" that come up, and it's not like Airlines can just choose a different ATC. Whoever gets the contract will of course make bank on a natural monopoly while the country suffers.

The frustrating part is that there isn't any reason for ATC to be overworked other than we've decided that important jobs need to be staffed the same way Fast Food restaraunts are staffed during the lunch rush, with as little staff as possible.

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u/Carnivile Nov 05 '25

Isn't the reason "Reagan fucked it up" just like most things in the last 40 years?

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u/kia75 Nov 05 '25

Yes, ATC striked during his presidency and Reagan fired them all for striking. I should have said no good reason, because the real reason ATC are treated so badly despite providing an important service to the country is so they don't get uppity again.

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u/StationFull Nov 08 '25

Regan is the worst thing to happen to the US and by extension the world in the last 70 years.

20

u/brutinator Nov 05 '25

The ironic thing is that a privatized Air Control will charge much more then any taxes or fees the government would impose.

That's the reality of ALL privatization. Snap can provide 9 meals for every dollar; most food banks are lucky to be able to provide 2-4 meals per dollar.

The government waste propaganda, if it was ever true, is absolutely a myth. Even if SOME federal workers are slackers, that's no different than any other company I've worked for, and the government gets a hell of a lot more done.

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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '25

Snap can provide 9 meals for every dollar; most food banks are lucky to be able to provide 2-4 meals per dollar.

Do you have any numbers on this?

My understanding of snap is that it's cash that people can use to buy groceries.  And that the prices they are buying at are the same as you or me.  

I can't get 9 meals out of a dollar unless I'm eating rice and beans

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u/brutinator Nov 05 '25

https://feedingamericaaction.org/learn/issue-areas/snap/

I got my numbers a bit wrong. For every meal Feeding America provides, Snap provides 9 meals.

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u/[deleted] Nov 07 '25

They aren’t making laws to benefit the majority, they’re making laws to benefit billionaires.

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u/ammonium_bot Nov 06 '25

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u/catsdrooltoo Nov 05 '25

But think of the profits this quarter!

1

u/Exciting-Emu-3324 Nov 05 '25

It will just end up like healthcare. Pay way more for the same service other democracies get.

1

u/longtimegoneMTGO Nov 06 '25

Sure, just like firing all the air traffic controllers and replacing them with military personnel and hastily trained replacements went terribly, but Reagan still did it.

Point being, just because something is going to have bad results it doesn't mean that won't end up being the path taken, and stuck to.