American Water Works is for sale - again

Eco-logic Powerhouse ^ | May 15, 2006 | Joyce Morrison

[hedgetrimmer]

Privatization of our ... "roads, tunnels, bridges, electricity supply facilities, mass transit, rail transportation, airports, ports, waterways, water supply facilities..." was legalized when President George H. W. Bush signed Executive Order 12803, on April 30, 1992.

Foreign corporations and government haven't always been permitted to purchase vital US infrastructure.

[rightinthemiddle]

Now, if I could just get Baltic Avenue...

[Doogle]

...without firing a shot


Doogle

[loreldan]

It's not worth it. Nobody ever lands on it and when they do you never get much money. Save your $150 for something you can put a hotel on.

[Rodney King]

and U.S. Mayors are saying: "We want control of our own water."

Then buy it.

[Rodney King]

It's not worth it. Nobody ever lands on it and when they do you never get much money. Save your $150 for something you can put a hotel on.

The value comes in the end game when you need a safe spot to land on.

[redgolum]

And the little towns wonder why costs go up and quality goes down.

Monopolies are not good in the long term. The private companies do not have a vested interest in providing for smaller markets. Think of it, if you owned the water for Chicago and some little downstate town, which one would you spend money on to fix up and maintain?

I know that this will upset some of the anarchy libertarians, but it isn't a good idea to privatize everything.

[hedgetrimmer]

Then buy it.

The taxpayers DID. Then CORRUPT politicians sold off publicly owned properties and infrastructure for private profit. Foreign corporations are profitting from the rip off of the american taxpayer, which has been the trend since GHW Bush took office.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

"The private companies do not have a vested interest in providing for smaller markets. Think of it, if you owned the water for Chicago and some little downstate town, which one would you spend money on to fix up and maintain?"

I've been in the water business for 25 years, and I do not find this statement to be true! Our small company was purchased by a very, very large water company, and they have sunk a huge bundle into upgrading the plant, the system, etc..

[calcowgirl]

There is growing concern regarding the infrastructure of the United States being sold to foreign countries. Chicago became the first U.S. government entity to lease a toll-way to private investors. Last year, the city negotiated a deal with a 99-year contract on the 7.8 mile Chicago Skyway, with a Spanish-Australian group for $1.83 billion.

AB1467 was recently passed allowing for 4 new toll-road projects in California. While the voters get to vote on the $37 Billion worth of Bond proposals, they won't get to vote on the privatization factor, which makes the entire plan equal to $116 Billion. News reports said the Australian groups have already shown interest.

[RS]

"Where should the United States draw the line on privatization? Are we selling our security with our infrastructure? "

Dumb quesitons ...

What ? Are we worried the Australians are going to pick up the toll road and plop it down outside Sydney ?

Everyone forget the big Japanese buying spree over here not that many years ago - when shortly thereafter they sold everything back to us at a BIG loss ?

[CougarGA7]

I'll pay $150 for it.

[hedgetrimmer]

Are we worried the Australians are going to pick up the toll road and plop it down outside Sydney ?

No, but in a war time scenario, they could certainly forbid the passage of US military vehicles on the road, if they wanted to.

When the federal or state governments build and maintain the roads, passage is free for anyone and everyone. It is a construct that bolsters the constitutional guarantee of freedom of movement. Foreign ownership of roads, ports and other vital infrastructure violate the basic concepts of the Constitution and our INDEPENDENCE from foreign governments and interests, as declared by the Declaration of Independence. All those in favor of foreign ownership of major transportation corridors are following Bill Clinton's admonition that America must become interdependent, America must become ordinary and our ability to stand apart must be erased.

[hedgetrimmer]

Our small company was purchased by a very, very large water company

Which one?

[hedgetrimmer]

Everyone forget the big Japanese buying spree over here not that many years ago

They bought before Bush I's EO, and if I recall correctly they bought golf courses, resorts and the Rockefeller center. Japan did not purchase strategic assets, it was forbidden at the time. They also purchased shares in some silicon valley companies, but because of federal regulation, had to remain minority owners, if I recall correctly.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Aqua American. Here they're called Aqua Ohio. The city of Philadelphia, where they're called Philadelphia Suburban, is their largest system, but they're all over Pa. and Ohio. Great company! Stock has doubled a couple of times.

[hedgetrimmer]

What is the stock symbol?

[1rudeboy]

No, but in a war time scenario, they could certainly forbid the passage of US military vehicles on the road, if they wanted to.

With what, pea-shooters?

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Sorry, don't know. I'm not a stockholder. Wish I had bought in earlier though!
They used to be called Consumer's. Names have changed as the company has grown.

[kaktuskid]

Are we worried the Australians are going to pick up the toll road and plop it down outside Sydney ?

No, but in a war time scenario, they could certainly forbid the passage of US military vehicles on the road, if they wanted to

Then those properties become immediately seized and nationalized under the Enemy Act