[conservatism_IS_compassion]

When we have an important industry being jerked around by foreign powers, IMHO the minimum “interference” our government should impose would be to put a thumb on the scale in favor of local fuel production. Energy independence is within our grasp. But maybe we don’t really want it after all, and are willing to be hostage to hostiles?

Impose a modest tariff now, while the price of crude is in flux, and lower than we have been accustomed to. Then when the Saudis want to put the screws to our industry, they will have just a little more headwind. Put whatever revenue you get from the tariff into subsidizing domestic use, to answer your objection about damage to petroleum processors and users. That would be fine.

Whatever you do along those lines creates distortions, I fully get that. But the “system” we have now needs to be stabilized, in a way that favors security.

[thackney]

No government selection of winners and loser in private industry.

Why do you want to make our refineries and petrochemical industries less competitive with other nations?

Your suggestion will make it cheaper to shut down a refinery, lose the jobs, and just import gasoline rather than the whole barrel.

Quit looking to government to help private industry. We do just fine without their “help”. Take Reagan’s viewpoint in this.