Energy Policy for Idiots - A test

Arnold Kling of TCS Daily has a short test:

"Let's go s-l-o-w-l-y. Start by asking yourselves these questions:

Should the goal of U.S. energy policy be to raise long-term domestic energy production, or to reduce long-term domestic energy production?

Should the goal of U.S. energy policy be to increase profits earned by Iran and other foreign producers, or to reduce their profits?

Should the goal of U.S. energy policy be to increase consumer demand for gasoline, to leave consumer demand alone, or to reduce consumer demand?

Did you answer 'raise long-term domestic energy production,' 'reduce profits of foreign suppliers,' and 'leave consumer demand alone' or 'reduce consumer demand'? Very good! Those are very sensible answers. Before reading further, go back and repeat the questions and the answers five times, to make sure that they stick in your mind."

Later in the article, he makes a point that some may find hard to swallow:

"Congress wants to treat American consumers like children, who should not have to deal with reality when it comes to the supply and demand for gasoline. It might be better to treat consumers as adults, and let us make grown-up decisions. These grown-up decisions probably will serve the country's interest more than the infantile energy policies now under consideration."

Maybe it's time for some to grow up.