Time to Nationalize Oil - Can We Make the Case?

Lately, I've been toying with the notion that it might be in the best interest of the nation to nationalize or otherwise regulate our oil.

Clearly, the for-profit oil industry rarely operates in the public or even the national best interests.  Yet this non-renewable resource pervades and influences every aspect of our economy and is arguably key to any national defense strategy in both peacetime and war.

While I pose a few arguments below the fold, I'd like to utilize dailykos at its best - a brainstorming, educational forum.  I know nothing about the process, feasibility or reasonableness of the nationalizing a resource.  Can we collectively make the case to nationalize or otherwise regulate oil?

1.  Were it not for the power of the oil companies, we would be 30-40 years ahead in exploring alternative energy sources.  Solar is just one example of the suppression strategies employed by big oil - when I shopped for solar panels about 7 years ago, I could not find a single source that was not a subsidiary of an oil company.  They were hugely overpriced, considering the costs of production.  I bought two anyway.  

2.  Oil's influence on our foreign policy has often worked against the nation, while oil interests were advanced.  We have supported oppressive governments, abandoned our ideals, engendered ill will by entire nations and peoples, sacrificed many lives, both American and foreign - in the interests of oil profits.  This must not continue.

3.  For-Profit Oil complies as minimally as possible with environmental regualtions in order to keep costs down and profits up.  If nationalized, the safeguards against spills and other accidents in the oil industry will be strengthened when profits are not the first and only consideration.

4.  Global Warming has become a world crisis.  It may well be that draconian measures will be required to ease the problems.  For-Profit Oil can only work against some of the practical steps that may need to be taken.  

5.  I have heard oil industry advocates argue that breaking up Big Oil would be a terrible measure because in today's world, they are puny compared to the huge nationalized oil competitors in the world.  What better response than to nationalize right back?

6.  The price of oil has an impact on nearly every aspect of our economy.  Simple price changes to this important resource could be as important a tool for keeping the economy healthy as are the interest rate adjustments currently subject to governmental influence.  Isn't this a tool we need to help keep our economy healthy?

7.  Fuel is increasingly important a resource in our military, between rockets and planes, tanks, transport, etc. ad infinitum.  Imagine what would happen if our oil infrastructure was attacked and crippled!  For-profit doesn't consider these broader national interests when providing security for these critical sites.  Nor should our nation pay for this essential protection when it just goes to profit.  Nationalized, our oil resources can be better protected in these tenuous times.

There must be more all of you can think of that helps to make the case to nationalize oil.  Conversely, my arguments might be full of holes yet to be inserted by you!

So calling all intelligensia, smartie pants and smart asses to help make or break the case to Nationalize our Oil Now!