Thanks for letting readers know that the Show-Me Institute is a “conservative” think tank. It wouldn’t have hurt to let folks know that Rex Sinquefield, a rich hard right Republican, is the main funding source for the far right wing think tank. I like Naomi Klein’s definition of a “think tank”(paraphrasing here): made up of shills for the rich and paid to think by the makers of tanks. Privatizing public resources is a step back to the Gilded Age, the age of Robber Barons. Maybe Milton Friedman and Ayn Rand, and their “free”-market devotees would like this, but the vast majority would not. Only the super-rich want us to go back to having less fortunate old and disabled people selling apples on the street corner to make ends meet, as was the case was unbridled capitalism was in power in our beloved country. Read John Bogle and Naomi Klein if you want to add some diversity to your information sources. Thank you.

To Mary Jo Feldstein: this is on the topic of privatization also, but refers to your column today(10-24-07) about Medicare privatization. I think it was unfair and unbalanced for you to point out the “political agenda” of those who are against Medicare privatization while failing to point out the “political(and I might add, economic)agenda” of those who want to privatize Medicare. I hope this was but another oversight, but I do detect a tendency in the P-D Business Section to favor Milton Friedman and his so-called “free”-market theories. When his devotees speak of “freedom”(in the market place), I am reminded of a famous statement(the attribution of which escapes me at present)that the rich and poor are equally free to sleep under bridges. Wake up, America!

Hello. Thanks for writing in. I think the debate over whether private businesses can more effectively run government programs is an interesting one and I look forward to writing about it in a future column. However, this column takes no stand on the issue and only points out the benefits of and concerns over Medicare Advantage plans.

Thanks for writing back, Ms. Feldstein. I think you miss my main point: describing those who are against privatizing Medicare as having a “political agenda” implies the lack of one in those who favor it. I also believe that you have a right to have a slanted opinion, but should then label your column as “commentary” so readers can decide for themselves. Thank you.

To David: Live Chat ended before I could respond to the bit about the Progressive Policy Institute. Despite its name, this “think tank” is described by some as being conservative, neoliberal, etc. I am truly chagrined that the P-D and its staff do not take better care to identify the political/economic background of the “think tanks.” This is either intentionally misleading or at least uninformative. I like Naomi Klein’s defintion(paraphrasing here) of “think tanks”–composed of people who paid to think by the makers of tanks! Thanks again.