It's just business

[Bronzeage]

Is there any evidence that anyone ever wanted government to be run as or like a company?

I have heard many people say it. The problem comes when we try to understand want it means.

I don't know anyone who ever worked for a business owner they thought would make a good President.

 

[whichphilosophy]

Is there any evidence that anyone ever wanted government to be run as or like a company?

A State run company as in some countries, running public transportation such as buses, trains, or utilities such as electricity gas, and fuels such as coal, oil and gas is a company.
Whether privately publicly or state run then repair of facilities, payment for staff, marketing, supply of services or goods and management would still have to be undertaken. A State company which sells such goods and services, will aim (with some exceptions) to make a trade surplus so that it can put money aside for expansion, maintenance, and repairs of facilities.

Where education, police, armed forces, healthcare, and transportation is paid by the State, then there must be an external source of income such as taxation. To keep taxation low, the government enterprises must manage their accounts and activities in a cost effective (NB not cheap) way and try and eliminate waste.