[thansharp]

The fact that it underpins so much of our daily life, implying that subsidizing them helps in ensuring those functions still remain intact.

[seanp2k2]

From the examples, it sure sounds like there's a lot of opportunities for them to turn a profit without all the help.

[Zigurd]

Is there any question those functions would remain intact in the oil industry? Even coal mining is not even remotely in danger of failing to meet non-energy needs for carbon.