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Closed-source companies are often corporations. Open-source software isn't a corporation. You could go as a private individual and download and use SE Linux, getting a direct benefit from your tax dollars. Or that money could go to a company with a big lobby and a private jet for the CEO. If the same amount of money is going to be spent, I know which way I'd want it to be spent.

There are plenty of open source companies that have private jets and big lobbies. The article that Bush2000 pointed out to you mentioned IBM as a proponent of mandating open source software. Therein lies the problem -- When the govt mandates (or develops) GPL / open source software, it's interfering in the commercial software business. It's taking the side of one group of corporations over another group.

There are plenty of open source companies that have private jets and big lobbies.

Which you pay for through services, not software licensing. With free software, we've just cut out a good chunk of the pork.

Therein lies the problem -- When the govt mandates (or develops) GPL / open source software, it's interfering in the commercial software business. It's taking the side of one group of corporations over another group.

IBM still has a very large proprietary software base. They were just smart enough to realize the potential for both profit and diversity of business model in OSS. Any company can do it.