Maintaining Infrastructure

We've been known to criticize the cost and inanities of government--yes, really! see below post for an example--but on the flipside the benefits that government provides are often little noticed.

Two guys with heavy equipment came around the neighborhood to clean out the storm drains. They lowered the crane several times to scoop out the leaves and other detritus. How much it would cost me to pay for this service ala carte I don't know, but it's a lot easier and probably cheaper that the cost is run through the property tax invoice.

In principle, privatization is more efficient. In practice, well, let's not get crazy about it.