Why are some House Democrats calling for the nationalization of US oil refineries?

Question

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2033142/posts

Is this the type of "change" we can look forward to with a more Democratic government in 2009?

Answer 1

It will win them votes amongst angry voters who assume this will lower gas prices.  I don't know where the Democrats are going to find the money to nationalize oil refineries, the government is broke as it is.

Answer 2

Actually National Socialism in Germany in the 1930s/1940s was pro-corporations and private property. Please don't let the word Socialism in their party's name confuse you.

In terms of nationalizing oil refinaries, and from a Libertarian perspective I'd say that if the oil conglomerates do not wish to build new refinaries in the last 30 years and use the current ones at reduced levels in order to manipulate domestic supply and domestic oil prices (as in the price of gasoline in your neighborhood) then it is high time we take back the drilling rights and nationalize domestic oil production -- we can use Imminent Domain to do this.

Most industrialized countries in the world have done this.

Another plus of nationalization is that it places oil production and refinary on a strategic level in terms of national security, rather than leaving it in the hands of those who are only interested in profits and don't give a d**n about US national security.

Answer 3

Obama.  Can you say Chavez?  He also wants a law against rumors in political campaigns.    Can you see where we're going here?

Answer 4

Because they are National Socialists in Democrats clothing.

For those of you that don't know, National Socialist is rather long in German, so it was shortened to n**i for convenience.

Answer 5

There are a number of plausible reasons:

1) They seek political advantages by doing so.  They believe that their constituents would approve of the move.  And whether their calls are implemented or even whether they work, they can put themselves in the position of being able to say in the next election that they tried to do something.

2) They may realize that a nationalized industry would give them more opportunities to reward their friends and enrich themselves.

3) They may even believe that it's the right thing to do - that they may be run better and cheaper by the government.

Personally, I think that #1 is always at play.  It's hard to say who believes #2 or #3.  Indeed, some congressmen may believe both at the same time.  It goes without saying that #3 could be debated.  I'll leave that for another question.  Regardless of your opinion on it, I think that it's wise to consider the other possible motivations behind their calls when consider whether we should heed them.

Answer 6

They have been wanting to do it for a long time, they finally have an 'excuse'.