We need to nationalize commercial services in emergencies

In cases of national emergency, we must both have and use the ability to nationalize commercial services including distribution, lodging, food, and so on.

In times of war, governments have had no qualms about nationalizing otherwise privatized infrastructure. Remember the QE2 serving as a Royal Navy ship during the Falklands war? There are countless examples.

There is no need to use the Astrodome to shelter people. We can nationalize hotels and pay their owners a fixed rate, just as the government does with reservists who work as employees; just as they do with jurors.

We can nationalize the courier and distribution services like FedEx and UPS and the railroads and pay them a fixed rate per ton. We can nationalize healthcare provision, food provision, the whole lot.

Of course these facilities would only be used in emergencies, and only for the duration necessary. We won't want to disrupt more of the country's functioning than we need to; but saving life is and must be a priority over minor economic concerns.

Given this as a stated policy those industries will have plans worked out to handle those needs with great efficiency; as they will want to minimize disruption to their business.

Corporations are the great beneficiary of much of our public policy and they must bear their share of responsibility to assist the nation that shelters them when it is in need.