Huckabee’s “marketplace”

There are many problems with presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. The more you hear the worse it gets. Yesterday during the Iowa debate the populist was asked about his support for increasing energy mandates (he wouldn’t really answer the question).

ARE YOU WILLING TO INCREASE THE MANDATE?

I AM WILLING FOR US TO MAKE THE DECISIONS WHICH WILL NOT NECESSARILY CREATE THE MANDATES. YOU KNOW WHO ONE OF THE BIGGEST ENERGY USERS IS IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY? THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IF THE GOVERNMENT COMMITS TO BEING THE PRIMARY USER OF ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY, WE HAVE A MARKET BUILT IN AND, THEREFORE, THE BIG ARGUMENT AGAINST HAVING ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IS THERE’S NO MARKET FOR IT. WELL, LET THE GOVERNMENT BE A MARKETPLACE, AND WE’LL CREATE THE KIND OF DEMAND THAT LOWERS THE PRICE RATHER THAN RAISES THE PRICE.

This kind of government marketplace is as good as a massive subsidy. Who does Huckabee believe pays for this government-mandated purchase of energy? Taxpayers do. And when has a government “marketplace” naturally lowered prices for consumers? I’d love to see the example.

The “big argument” is that there is no market for certain alternative energies because they don’t make sense for the average consumer yet. When they do, consumers will start using them. If government creates a false market, as Huckabee is interested in doing, consumers will be waiting even longer for the right energy.

Then again, Huckabee “would make the United States energy independent within 10 years …” With the help of God. Or, rather, the right God.