Should air be privatized?

[2952-0-0]

Like, all forests and algae capable of producing oxygen be sold to a corporation and then charging people for oxygen rights? Philip thinks so.

[dazzleman]

Yes, I think air should be privatized.

Actually though, air RIGHTS are already privatized, but that's a different issue.  In urban environments, air rights are a big issue because they affect views, and views can be worth a lot of money.  A person or company can own air rights over a building that effectively prevent a view from being blocked by preventing any building within the air to which the person has rights.

This reminds me of the song. "they paved paradise, and put up a parking lot."

[Everett]

Yes. But I get to own the air. That means all of you have to either pack up and leave Earth or stop breathing, because I officially own the oxygen.

[ATFFL]

Yes. But I get to own the air. That means all of you have to either pack up and leave Earth or stop breathing, because I officially own the oxygen.

Ah, but I patented the Human Body. 

[TheresNoMoney]

Yes!!

The government is inefficient in providing the air to our lungs. The private sector could do much better.

[Ebowed]

I vote no.  The private sector actually does a pretty bad job at providing clean and affordable air.  I have seen statistics stating that up to 76.43% of air provided by the private sector has been unclean by Secretary of the Interior standards; 54.06% of air provided the private sector is only affordable to those who make more than $50,000 a year.  I think it's vital that the government continues to provide air, with taxpayer funding, in order to make sure that poor people can have basic necessities.

[MaC]

God yes!  It is an inalienable property right.  Once the government takes over air, you will have an air monopoly to live with in which you'll get lousy air.  Free market air is the way to go.

[Gabu]

God yes!  It is an inalienable property right.  Once the government takes over air, you will have an air monopoly to live with in which you'll get lousy air.  Free market air is the way to go.

Couldn't agree more!  Mmm, smell that fresh, free market air!



Zesty!

[minionofmidas]

Al Gore invented the oxygen IIRC.

[Gabu]

Al Gore invented the oxygen IIRC.

[Bono]

This is stupid, because air is not scarce.

[ilikeverin]

Al Gore invented the oxygen IIRC.

Dagnabbit, the guy who sold me Xenon assured me it would have been a sure thing, but nooooooooo...

[MaC]

This is stupid, because air is not scarce.

The smartest thing said on this thread.  Look Dean, the market "government v. private" debate is useless when there is an unlimited supply of air.  The debate comes when there is a scarce amount of resources so the issue of 'control' is over who supplies their customers (whether it's government or the free market).