That's funny you mention CAFE. You sure you're referencing it right though? Many moons ago when they were required I used to raise idle speed on some carbureted engines to pass the state emissions. That was in the 80s. It had nothing to do with fuel economy standards, because those standards really were not important until after these cars were made.
I'd call the cam choice and resulting idle a personal choice on your part I disagree with. Not like it's a big deal- different strokes, you know?
To me, raising the idle is a lousy way to compensate for poor tuning or incorrect parts choices. I'd no sooner put mechanical injection or use gas ported pistons on a street car. Idles past 800 are not for me when it's got to idle in traffic or crawl through a mall parking lot and it sure pisses off any local cops where I live.