Is Nationalization Un-American?
 

NATIONIALIZATION: public/government ownership of major parts of the economy

It's all around us and has been for years, for instance

- 45 million Americans rely on public power utilities for their electricity. Those utilities are nationalized - that is, they are owned and operated by government (in this case, municipal governments).
- the subway system, a commuter train like New Jersey Transit, a public bus or Amtrak?
- mailing letters through the U.S. Postal Service
- Veterans Administration providing a fully nationalized system
- In World War I, the nations' railroads were successfully nationalized to sustain the war effort.
- In the 1930s, the Reconstruction Finance Corp. bought millions of shares in over 6,000 banks in order to rescue them.
- During World War II, government took control of the economy's entire pricing system for consumer goods--a more complex job than taking over several big banks--and did quite well at it, most economists agree.
- In the 1980s, the Resolution Trust Corp. seized hundreds of failed savings and loans in order to save the system.
- After 9/11, the government effectively nationalized the private-security firms at airports, and replaced them with the federal TSA.

Something to think about.

Re: Is Nationalization Un-American?
 

Nationalization can work and often does. But when nationalizing anything we must realize that nationalization is best as a temporary measure in most cases. There's a time for everything. At least that's my opinion.

Re: Is Nationalization Un-American?
 

Do you think TSA is better than the private security firms we had before 9/11? Keep in mind many security laws were enacted regarding aviation that were not there pre 9/11.
TSA has more teeth to it than private security was allowed.

Re: Is Nationalization Un-American?
 

The TSA is far better than any private agency.

Re: Is Nationalization Un-American?
 

What percentage of authority that the federal government takes on do you think is temporary?

Seldom, if ever, do taxes levied or authority garnered go away.

Re: Is Nationalization Un-American?
 

LOL... yes... the lion does have more teeth.

Re: Is Nationalization Un-American?
 

I am sure you know the income tax was only temporary.

Personal Income Tax Introduced in U.S. (1913): At first, income taxes were considered a temporary tax to help raise money for war.

http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/qt/incometax.htm

Re: Is Nationalization Un-American?
 

Indeed... and I am sure that, any day now, they will be informing us that they appreciate our cooperation but there is no more need for the income tax.

:ursofunny

Re: Is Nationalization Un-American?
 

Back to the original question:

Just because something is done, or even allowed or tolorated, does not necessarily make it "American". But then again, just what is "American"?

Re: Is Nationalization Un-American?
 

If something is "Christian" then it should be biblical. The Bible is the framing document for Christianity.

If something is "American" then it should be constitutional. The Constitution is the framing document for the federal government of these united States of America.

Nationalization is neither constitutional nor American.