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Re:Germany's 49-euro ticket resulted in significant modal sh... by aleph_minus_one on Sunday October 13, 2024 @04:55PM (#41831504)
> So then if the government buys pens and reams of paper, then it's the government subsidizing office supply stores?

If the government is a particularly important customer: yes.

Re:Germany's 49-euro ticket resulted in significant modal sh... by s1artibartfast on Tuesday October 15, 2024 @08:15PM (#41854407)
Do you have a different term you use for when the government is not simply a customer, buying what they need, but intentionally funding a company in excess of the goods and services it receives? This would be more in line with the traditional definition.

I think a company can make 100% of its revenue from the government, but that doesn't mean it is subsidized. The critical criteria is if the government is directing funds for reasons other than pure procurement, such as buying votes, stimulating jobs, ect.