Valley View: A victim of disaster capitalism?

A few years ago I read Naomi Klien's book, "Shock Doctrine." In it she discusses how people in political and financial power (is there presently any difference?) exploit policies of their own making during times of financial crises to benefit a few.

One poignant example she sites is the total privatization of the New Orleans Public School District.

One of the prime objectives, aside from private profit, is union busting.

The situation with Valley View, an institution with an amazing longevity facilitated by Orange County, in these "hard times," is in jeopardy of being turned over to a private enterprise.

Privatization in our country is running rampant and with that, as intended, to further compromise the fiscal footing of the middle class by eliminating unions which seems to be an objective in this matter with Valley View.

I feel strongly that Valley View remain in the hands of the county. I am reminded of a poster in my dentist's office that says: “If you ignore your teeth, they'll go away.”

If we ignore the plight of Valley View, it might more than likely fall in the hands of privatization which does not insure good quality service but would certainly insure more money in the pockets of the corporate owners at the expense of institution employees coupled with the possibility of inadequate service.

Russ Layne
Warwick