We've nationalized industries before, but this time it's not just about saving our banks or fighting a war—it's about saving the planet.If you want to trigger a conservative, just suggest nationalizing the US gas and oil industry. “Venezuela!” they’ll scream hysterically, perhaps adding a few, “Iran!” squeals.
And, as we re-enter a cold war with Russia and face unprecedented human death and property damage fromit’s hard to claim we’re not in the midst of a national crisis that has fossil fuels at its foundation. FDR had sold bonds to the public to fund a government corporation that would develop synthetic rubber for fighter jet tires back in the day, and Carter wanted to do the same to end our dependence on fossil fuels: