Senator Jim DeMint moves to overturn idiotic light bulb restrictions

Senator Jim DeMint has introduced companion legislation to Rep. Michele Bachmann's Light Bulb Freedom Act.

Jim DeMint understands freedom.

"Americans are fully capable of choosing the best way to light their own homes and what best fits the needs and budget of their families ... it's clear the 'nanny state' mentality has gotten out of control in Washington."

Eco-nuts will paint the new standards as necessary to conserve energy. I've even heard some folks say that manufacturers are welcome to invent a more efficient incandescent bulb, presumably by repealing the laws of physics.

The government's obsession with energy efficiency has already ruined our washing machines. When the bureaucrats announced their stringent efficiency standards for washers they assured us we'd have the same range of appliance options and cleaning effectiveness wouldn't be affected.

Then reality hit. The affordable and dependable top loading washing machine is no more. In its stead we have the much more expensive front loader.

In 1996, top-loaders were pretty much the only type of washer around, and they were uniformly high quality. When Consumer Reports tested 18 models, 13 were "excellent" and five were "very good." By 2007, though, not one was excellent and seven out of 21 were "fair" or "poor." This month came the death knell: Consumer Reports simply dismissed all conventional top-loaders as "often mediocre or worse."

I oughta know — I just shelled out almost a thousand bucks for a new front loading washing machine. It was by no means a high-end model either. The days of buying a matching washer and dryer for $400 are gone forever. And it's not like I had much of a choice either, there wasn't a single top loader available for purchase.

So let's project the washing machine model onto light bulbs. One thing we've got here in America is smart engineers. If it were possible to make a top loading washing machine that meets all the latest federal mandates, at a price point which keeps it competitive with front loaders, somebody would be making them right now.

But again, that would involve repealing the laws of physics.

The dream of a mythical high efficiency incandescent light bulb is just that, a dream. A fantasy ginned up to deflect us from noticing we're stuck with CFL's and their toxic components. Have you seen the official EPA regulations for dealing with a broken compact fluorescent light bulb?

Break one and you'll find it's probably easier just to burn your house down rather than attempt to clean up the resultant Superfund site.

Go with God Senator DeMint. Strike a blow for common sense. Give Americans back their right to choose for themselves which light bulb is best.

Posted at 12:22 by Chris Wysocki   [/agw]   Comments | Perm Link |
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