Socializing voices in the USA

This is a curious, possibly meaningful, piece of info: several US economists and other intellectuals are calling for the nationalization of General Motors (and also Ford and Chrysler). Such "socialist" ideas were virtually unknown in the USA just a few months ago, or at least did not get any echo.

But actually seems a much better plan than just giving them money blindly and without a project. After all, the state would get whatever benefits these companies may make in the future and state planning may make some strategical goals (like more emphasis in ecological vehicles or, as Moore demands, also public transport) a realistic goal, unhindered by the pure market forces that appear to rule private companies.

Interestingly enough, while many US citizens oppose spending public money in helping private companies (quite logically) only a small minority appears to oppose nationalization of strategic industries, like oil. This is well against the common perception of US mentality as fiercely opposed to any sort of "socialism".