Handicapping occurs in sports to equalize the winning chances of contestants of varying abilities. Sometimes, as in horse racing, superior horses, based on past performance, are required to carry more weight.  Sometimes, as in golf, poorer players are allowed more strokes.

Unbeknownst to most of us, the public-vs.-private race is also handicapped.  But contrary to the popular wisdom, it is the private sector that often cannot compete without being given more strokes.

No matter where you look, this principle holds true.