A recent plunge in fuel prices has quieted much of the pulpit-banging in Washington. But with so much of the world’s oil supply controlled by illiberal governments, there’s no telling where prices may go in the near future.

Cries for government action could still resume as Election Day approaches — as if Congress had some magical authority over the ups and downs of energy markets. An electorate largely ignorant of economics and foreign cartels will happily exchange votes for promises of lower-priced gasoline. Sadly, the costs of such action will simply be spread to places we can’t see, but will experience anyway.