On the other hand, according to the CDC:

"76 million Americans get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 people die from foodborne illnesses each year."

You have very reasonable arguments, and a background of knowledge in the field, but I guarantee you that a large majority of those currently fighting this technology are doing so at the same mental level as those who oppose something because of "evil spirits."

Anyway, I pointed out that there are ways to do it WITHOUT radioactive material.

It should also be pointed out that viciously lethal substances are transported around this country by the ton every day.

As for nuclear power, the energy situation and the linkage to world issues is so critical, almost a matter of national security, that I have no problems with the government being heavily involved with it.

In theory, a private system is possible. So is a private highway system--if you started that way 200 years ago. It ain't gonna happen now. The nuclear industry hasn't really been "private" since the beginning.

Fuel recycling and fuel and waste storage should be handled in remote locations, heavily guarded. Waste should be intensely processed and recycled, then stored at these facilities in shielded, accessible, guarded structures, not buried somewhere out of sight and mind. Someday somebody will think of something better, and you want the waste right there. An ideal place for this might be old military bases, particularly any that used to store nuclear weapons. Private companies will be subcontractors for the most part. Run it like the military if you have to.