> Ironically, rarely are there examples from private industry who screw up as much as governments tend to, especially in safety-critical missions.

Governments have the power to compel individuals under threat of violence. Private industry does not.

People can choose not to do business with a company, limiting the impact of that company's actions on their lives and the lives of others. Individuals have no choice in government.

"People can choose not to do business with a company, limiting the impact of that company's actions on their lives and the lives of others."

That's not always true. See also: pharmaceuticals, utilities, various other markets susceptible to monopolies/oligopolies.

I mean sure, you can choose not to take your prescribed medications, but it's probably not going to end well for you.

In which case, you are no worse off for choosing not to do business with them than you would be if they did not exist.

Pharmaceutical companies often have monopolies because of patents - but then, you're back to a government intervention again.

Also note that I said "limiting the impact", because it's possible for a third party to impact you without your entering into a voluntary contract with them. For instance: if there is a river running through your property, if someone upstream diverts the river that is going to reduce the value of your property. If you were using that river to power something that enables you to fulfill a pre-existing contract then the common law concept of "tortious interference" comes into play.

Life is complicated :)