<![CDATA[RealClearPolitics - Articles by John Thune]]>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/authors/?id=18701Author <![CDATA[New Bill Ends Government-Run Companies]]> Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500 The federal government currently holds various ownership stakes in over 500 private companies. This alarming fact, along with the events of recent days in the auto industry, should serve as a wakeup call for all those concerned about preserving the free market principles upon which our nation was founded. As we have been so rudely reminded, government ownership of private companies threatens the fairness of markets, creates coercive business conditions, and allows government bureaucrats to dictate business decisions.

Government ownership interests in private companies create an uneven playing field. Companies aided by the government are given an unfair competitive advantage that...]]>