Nuclear Power?!?

I’ve long thought that this sort of thing could be the basis of a compromise. But, of course, the RNC has long since abandoned compromise. I am, however, stunned beyond belief that Obama is committing us to nuclear power, after decades of unequivocal proof that there is no economically viable nuclear power industry anywhere in the world?

I really don’t understand how the US government can commit $64 billion in guaranteed loans to a technology that has such a long and proven track record of boondoggleism with no self reflection.  I find this commitment to nuclear power particularly offensive given that fractions of that $64 billion is considered a boondoggle for renewable technologies.  Is it even remotely possible that we can have an intelligent conversation about strategic investments in our country’s future?

We’ve apparently crossed a rubicon into being fundamentally incapable of rationally planning for our future. The reason the US dominated virtually every major industry of the 20th century stems from an enlightened self interest that recognized the vital role that the public sector plays in advancing the interests of all of society via industrial policy.  I defy anyone to identify a country that has risen to global economic dominance that didn’t engage in an extreme form of what most main stream US economic pundits would deride today as “protectionism”. The US absolutely pummeled the UK with an industrial policy that is very similar to that of China’s today.  Is the “elite” so immune to self reflection that they will deny that history?  It would seem so.  And what’s worse is that many of the rank and file accept that same world view, thus giving a pass to that same elite.

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