John Thune

June 11th 2009

The Argus Leader reports:

The federal government, which has amassed large ownership interests in private companies, would be forced to sell those interests by July 1, 2010, under a bill introduced today by Sen. John Thune.

... Thune said today that the government’s equity stakes have made President Barack Obama a “de facto CEO” and Congress a “board of directors.” The relationship between government and private industry has “created a dangerous conflict of interest.”

“Americans expect government to be the referee of markets - making sure that laws are followed and that contracts are enforced,” Thune said during a press call to introduce the bill. “But the government can’t be the referee if it’s also a player. Players take sides. They want to see one side win.”