"Socialism Will Sweep Over This Nation, I Fear" - David Friedberg

Economic Concerns & Political Landscape - Public dissatisfaction stems from government overspending and concerns about Medicare/Medicaid cuts [1][2] - Wage stagnation and increased costs of living, including groceries and rent, are widely felt [3][4] - There's a concern that nearly half of Americans are directly or indirectly employed by the government, leading to inefficient capital allocation and inflation [4] - Potential for a socialist movement is feared, especially if economic conditions worsen, making promises of "free" services appealing [2][6][7] Energy & Subsidies - Solar energy has seen hyperbolic growth and cost reduction due to incentives [4] - Removing incentives can lead to a decrease in energy generation [4] - Subsidies for solar and wind may have disincentivized investment in nuclear technology, hindering the US from catching up in Gen 4 reactor development [5] - Bureaucracy and regulation are significant obstacles for nuclear power development, not just cost per kilowatt hour [4] - Private sector investment in small modular reactors (SMRs) was catalyzed by hyperscalers' demand and government efforts to reduce bureaucracy [5] Policy & Market Impact - Government policies providing economic support can create a snowball effect, with failures leading to calls for more government intervention [11][12][13] - Potential policy failures could lead to increased taxation and regulatory burdens [13] - The public's trust in leadership and the current economic situation influences their willingness to accept government control and redistribution [5][6]