>It feels like a colliding of worlds and a cannibalization that doesn't make sense to me. Like - if the government launched a messaging app competitive with WhatsApp and it drew users away from WhatsApp and it had better encryption ... Would that actually be better for the economy of this country? Something seems off about it to me.
The economy works best when anyone does what is supposed to: the Government sticks to maintaining order, defending the country, public healthcare, public education. The companies are producing goods and services.
Governments trying to undercut businesses isn't doing any good to the economy. There will be less money, less jobs.
This argument could be made for healthcare, postal services, and even emergency services. Thankfully in Europe we don't agree with that view. Entrepreneurship is an important engine for innovation, but it doesn't mean our collective representation cannot fund projects which serve the whole community if we see fit.
Many Americans think public healthcare competes with private hospitals and insurance companies. A criticism of public education in the beginning was that it would put (private) schools out of business. All we're talking about here is where the line is.
The economy works best when anyone does what is supposed to: the Government sticks to maintaining order, defending the country, public healthcare, public education. The companies are producing goods and services.
Governments trying to undercut businesses isn't doing any good to the economy. There will be less money, less jobs.