What could possibly go right?

Read the comment about NZ. Or refer to Sweden.

If having critical infrastructure under democratic control is too scary for you?

There is nothing “democratic” about how the US works if you define “democratic” as “one person one voice”. Because of gerrymandering, the electoral college, 2 Senators per state etc, you have less voting power if you live in California than if you live in Nebraska.

Besides, a government run by the “majority” tends to trample on the rights of the minority. I don’t just mean racial minorities. I mean anyone who holds minority viewpoints.

> There is nothing “democratic” about how the US works

So it seems. Then let's not blame governments and democracies in general.

I am currently denied mail service by my local post master because when my mother was in this house (and I was in prison) and dying of cancer she could not get to the mailboxes (at the end of the street and requiring crossing the street using curbs with no handicap ramps) in a timely enough manner. She had the nerve to appeal her mail service being turned off, and so now the post master has a personal grudge with my family. So yes, having government control of essential services is scary to me.

The government goes out of its way to disenfranchise certain demographics.