Other countries with nationalized oil industries are raking it in for the benefit of their population as a whole.

And it sucks to live in most of those countries. Have you heard about the folks trying to get out of Venazuela? Mexico?

Why feed only stockholders and executives?

Because stockholders & executives (as well as all their employees) are the only ones actually working and/or investing in producing the product. Why line politicians pockets with one more revenue stream they haven't managed to steal, siphon off or tuck in their freezer?

You didn't link to the 2nd poll. I think you meant this one:
http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/busine…

"a solid plurality of Democrats are in favor of nationalizing the oil industry"

What is a "solid plurality"? Sounds like a lot! In fact, it's only 37%, versus 32 who oppose nationalization, and 31 neutral/no answer. So, really, roughly 1/3 for each choice. As for the yea's, why not? Other countries with nationalized oil industries are raking it in for the benefit of their population as a whole. Why feed only stockholders and executives? And hey, 16% of Republicans agree, so that means R's only harbor 1/2 as many Marxists as Dems.

"half of the Democrats say that a private company “should not be allowed to keep” any profit from any development of alternate energy technology"

Half the country/respondents as a whole (48%) agree, too, so you've got your work cut out for you. Even 1 out of every 5 Republicans thinks so, too. How can you sleep at night belonging to that party?

I mean, let's say you have a job at a coffee shop…..your "cost of doing business" is however much you have to pay each week in bus fair to travel to work; plus shampoo to wash your hair; uniform dry cleaning, etc. Does the liberal coffee shop worker actually make just enough to cover the cost of doing business or does he have some cash left over at the end of the week? And if he does have some left over….does he feel guilty for being evil & greedy?