The left has one solution for everything: government control.  Whatever the problem, simply call for government to takeover and it will magically be solved. That’s their thinking, as demonstrated in this case by Robert Reich:

It’s time for the federal government to put BP under temporary receivership, which gives the government authority to take over BP’s operations in the Gulf of Mexico until the gusher is stopped. This is the only way the public know what’s going on, be confident enough resources are being put to stopping the gusher, ensure BP’s strategy is correct, know the government has enough clout to force BP to use a different one if necessary, and be sure the President is ultimately in charge.

Let’s consider the benefits he sees to government control.

1) It’s the only way the public knows what is going on. Last time I checked, government was a hotbed of secrecy, spin and misinformation.  Despite running on a campaign of transparency, Obama has run one of the most opaque administration’s in history.  The idea that government control will help the public know better what is going on is laughable.

2) The public will be confident enough resources are being put to stopping the leak. Perhaps Robert Reich missed the memo, but confidence in government is at historic lows, and for good reason.  While it’s technically true that the government has more resources than BP, there is no indication that BP’s problem up to this point is a lack of resources.  Even if it was, they can be made available without a government takeover.

3) Government will ensure BP is using the correct strategy, and force them to change if they are not. What, exactly, gives government the expertise to determine what the “correct” strategy is?  How many wells does government operate, again?  How many similar leaks have they solved?  Let’s put aside the kindergardenish notion that being in government makes one an expert in everything.  It doesn’t.  This is, after all, the same government that is turning to James Cameron for “expert” advice.  The best and brightest oil men aren’t in government, they’re in the oil industry.  Let’s leave the clean-up to the professionals, and not a bunch of hacks trying to exploit it for political gain.

4) We can be sure the President is ultimately in charge. Again, what is the thinking here? What the hell does Barack Obama know about stopping oil leaks?  He’s a two-bit Chicago thug whose career consists of nothing more than agitating “community organizing” and campaigning.  What fool will be comforted by having him in charge of the operation? Robert Reich, that’s who.