ReasonTV: Light Bulbs v. The Nanny State
by Nick GillespieIn September, the European Union banned the sale of 100-watt incandescent light bulbs, with lawbreakers facing up to $70,000 in fines. Over the next few years, bans on lower-wattage bulbs kick in. In the United States, similar legislation comes into play in 2012. The idea is to kickstart the market for compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which use less energy than conventional incandescents. Although CFLs present any number of problems (even beyond a much higher initial cost), governments all over the globe are determined to make them the new standard.
Invented in its modern form by Thomas Edison in 1879, the light bulb became synonymous with a brilliant idea. Now, it seems, it’s just one more symbol of a nanny state that increasingly dictates more choices in our public and private lives.
“Light bulbs vs. The Nanny State” is produced by Meredith Bragg and Nick Gillespie. Approximately two minutes.
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65 Comments
Except the moronic legislators don't acknowledge that if the florescent bulbs aren't disposed of properly (which is a pain in the butt) or if they brake they have a worse impact on the planet than incandescent bulbs do… :/
*** Can't watch the video right now, but wanted to comment on the morons that make the rules..
About two months ago, I went through my house and replaced all my fluorescent light bulbs with traditional incandescent bulbs. I will be stocking up on them, since apparently in 2012 we will have some sort of legislation dealing with what kind of light bulbs we use, and if the government wants to come to my house to check what kind of light bulbs i use, they will have to do so over my dead body.
The mere thought that Government can dictate what goes on, in ones own home defies everything this country was built on. We are the people whose ancestors came across the sea on wooden ships, we are the peope who carved out a new world in the wilderness, we are the people who were "Manifest Destiny", who walked, and rode in wagons to California, and made a Nation from a new land, and settled it coast to coast.
Now, two hundred years later, the Government is going to tell me I can't buy a damned incandescent light bulb? I only have one response to Uncle Sam: Kiss my ass.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Big Government. Big Government said: ReasonTV: Light Bulbs v. The Nanny State: In September, the European Union banned the sale of 100-watt incandes.. http://bit.ly/A9amy [...]
Good job. Government is not about environment or serving people but unfettered control and getting money from special interest groups.
All: Reason.tv is a great media tool for your friends and neighbors to begin to understand how our country should work. These people are responsible, making "reasoned" arguments for, as their tag line says, "Free Minds and Free Markets" I encourage you to subscribe to their rss feed and watch their programming.
On to lightbulbs… this crappy, dim-light idea has been rolling through Europe of late and as best I can tell, even socialists are P.O.ed about sitting in the dark. If it actually gets implemented here just start throwing them in the trash and on the street. The pollution factor will freak out the feds and we will get it rolled back.
I bought a 6-pack of cfl lamps. Two burned out in a very short time. What a waste fo 10 dollars.
For years we have shipped toxic waste to China, in the form of electronic scrap. What are they supposed to do with all that phosphorus and mercury? Apply their usual ingenuity and turn it into lightbulbs, and ship it back. What goes around, comes around.
The government dictating what type of light bulb you can use in your home is just a start. They will tell you what you can eat and how much, they will even tell you what house you can live in and how warm or cold it can be. This is just a start to the total engineering of society. All of us over a certain age may not see all of the changes but our grandchildren will. God I am worried for their future !
Watch, the next rule will be to turn off all electricity by 9 p.m or go to jail. We will be under socialistic 'house arrest" within the next 10 years unless we get rid of all the cockroaches that run this country.
I am gonna make a killing in the "Black Market" with all of this regulation!
Actually I have one good use for CFL's. I have found they last longer, so they are good for fixtures which are kept on when we are out; giving the house a "someone is home" look. Also not bad for those fixtures which are a pain to get to, and which aren't relied upon for providing truly useful light.
What is interesting here is that the legislation was enacted in 2007. Most people don't know about it now, while industry prepares for the ban in 2012. When it does come the unwary consumer will be told that it has been coming for 5 years and it is HIS fault he didn't know. They pull this garbage all the time. Knowing the outrage which will come when the stuff hits the fan, our politicians simply delay when it will hit the fan. Never occurs to them to refrain from making the "stuff" in the first place.
GE is set to make a fortune off this scam!! I've already started stocking up on my good old fashion bulbs and trust me I will NOT buy one that has GE stamped on it.
CFL what an improvement. So, call HAZMAT to help clean up the mercury if you break one. Don't use the vacuum, do leave the room, open the windows, remove humans, pets, and wait for the HAZMAT bill. Yea, great on the earth. Now, do I just throw them OUT and pollute the dump or actually drive across town somewhere and turn the old ones in. Hmmm…..
And wait till one burns out. Will it just go black? You wish. What is that smell?? OMG, something electrical is burning in the house??! Where where… rush…look… keep looking… panic… scurry around. Awww… it is just one of those CFLs that you turned on and off too often and it burned out in months instead of 7 years. Too bad. Calm down now, and air the house.
What do you mean you have a DIMMER switch? Nope, can't use those with nearly all CFLs. Replace the switch or shop for a CFL that will dim. The light is too dark? Too bad, change brands of CFLs. Find one that isn't as cheap and more daylight color.
Fun…fun…Thanks Congress. Glad you are representing and looking out for us.
i was thinking the same thing.
Don't forget to recycle……….
I have had those same thoughts. Would it be illegal to cross the border into Mexico or Canada and bring in boot-leg light bulbs? One could do that, until they made enough money to start a light bulb factory….
i’m another one that has been stockpiling regular 100 watt bulbs. buy 5/4pks. every month and will continue to do so thru 2012. i read constantly and find the new bulbs cause eyestrain. AND….i will not be told what i can use in my own home by anyone who isn’t paying my bills and property taxes. not happening!
This is exactly why I've started to horde bulbs!
Perhaps we will see a thriving light bulb business on Indian Reservations.
Exactly – btw, what happens to the patten?
I've known about this legislation for a long time – I've been stockpiling every time bulbs go on sale!
But…they bring good things to life!
Everytime I have to replace a lightbulb with one of these things I live in fear. Changing a bulb used to be a matter of inconvenience now it's a potential hazmat disaster.
We'd all be better with lead paint and radon than these things! My previous apartment, my landlord replaced the overhead flourescent kitchen fixture with an incandescent one. Oh well, she should just go ahead and replace it back again!
CFLs have ugly purply light, and can cause eyestrain, headaches, and even seizures folks sensitive to the imperceptible "flashing" of the light. I will NEVER use these mercury-filled bulbs in my home with small children.
Stocking up on good old-fashioned bulbs as we speak, no matter how expensive they get.
Time to stock up because I used those darn fluorescent for a couple of years and they are horrible. My eyesight has deteriorated and I went back to old fashioned bulbs. I see so much better already. I am with you let's stock up.
Pretty soon, they'll fix the gas stations to have special nozzels that don't output gas unless you have a Prius or something. You wait – things like this will be happening "for our own good."
It's going to be like saccharin good for a while then five or ten years after the fact the government will tell they are bad for us and we should not use them.
Well if we consider the cost to the environment to ship those darn lousy bulbs to the US from China, then they have a negative impact on global environment.
Yeah, me too I am worried. Not only will they decide everything for us but they will not have to follow the rules. Only the masses have to suffer, the "elite in government" will not have to face any of this. I visited Russia in the 60's and this is really getting on line to doing what they did.
That is why we should seek reform in the way they put out bills. One bill one topic. They hide crap into unrelated bills all the time. I am fed up with those idiots it is time for real change.
And who sleeps with GE? Michele must love the 3some!
Wait a bit they will go on sale a few month before the ban. You don't think GE is going to get stuck with all those banned bulbs do you?
At the end of the day we are going to find out CFLs actually harm the environment more than traditional light bulbs. In the meantime, GE will have made a huge amount of money…
This world makes me tired.
Lets see now…
Building for my future, and future of my little boys:
1. 3 AR-15’s plus 25 magazines.
2. 1 AR style .308 with scope.
3. 1 Springfield XD40 with laser sights.
4. 1 Ruger 9mm with laser sights.
5. Assorted .22 hand guns and rifles.
5. Over 6,000 rounds of ammo for all makes and models.
6. A 1 year supply of freeze dried food, enough for 3 hungry mouths each.
7. Now stashing light bulbs and batteries to last for 3 years.
8. The feeling that we’ll be just fine after the “Zombie Apocalypse” is over…priceless.
Not Over.
Perhaps my experience is different, but I've tried various CFL brands, and they routinely give out within a few weeks. I've heard similar results from others as well. CFL's may last longer for some, but to me, I see costs, not savings.
Follow the money on this one…my bet is it won't be consumers who benefit.
A six pack of cheap beer would be worth more than a six pack of Algore Light Bulbs. Those bulbs are about as bright as Ol' Fat Al.
Thats funny!
I wonder how many rounds can one hoarde, before you are branded a terrorist?
Speaking of ammo, I read a report on a business link. It appears with the recession, with the economy bleak and everyone getting laid off, there is one bright spot in the economy. Ammo manufacturers are working 24/7. They are hiring people and working non stop. The latest figures released, where the year prior to Obama being elected, US ammo manufacturers turned out 7 billion rounds. This year, the figure is expected to be 9 billion rounds, projected to 10.5 billion rounds next year.
There is a gun store in Montana that has an Obama picture behind the counter, with a cute little mustache. A handwritten caption says " Gun Salesman of the Year 2009"……………….
Change your handle to "LightBulbDan"?
Already got about a fifty year supply of long-life incandescents set aside. If you buy the long-life bulbs, it's not that many, so storage is only a couple of large boxes. Bulbs don't go bad or expire. Plus, buying them now, before the inevitable price run up as the dollar collapses, should net at least four times the bang for the buck.
That business about the CF bulbs lasting six to ten times longer is pure bullsh*t. They might last 2 or 3 times as long, but they cost five times more. I did test a couple, and was incredibly underwhelmed. A CF will only last longer than an incandescent if you're not switching it on and off all the time, and unless you run a 24 hour convenience store, you probably turn your lights on and off.
Just another snow job for stupid people, so the pit-vipers in the government can maintain control, and line the pockets of their greenie contributors.
Just like the obamahuts in africa when the generator shut down to save diesel
What is it with these Hippies and their obsession with Europe? Embrace your CLF's just like Europe and you will end up with a bigger Mercury problem. Stop drinking the Kool Aid!
I would have liked to see this video focus much more on the mercury issues associated w/ CFL's. They are DANGEROUS when broken! Do not use these if you have children!
Yes, you will. Horde all you want. You'll eventually run out. Lamps will be designed for CFLs, incandescent won't work in them.
Eventually the gov't will respond to the HAZMAT problem by forcing you to "properly" recycle them somehow, with hefty fines for violations.
This will not be rolled back. We will be rolled over.
I already can't find high wattage incandescent recessed lights, they don't exist anymore. They CF ones take forever to brighten and aren't as good. I put the light on, sit down and have to look up to see if the light is on!
A while ago I bought 2 cases of bright incandescent recessed lights online somewhere. I really should look for more… they aren't cheap but I bet I can't even find them anyway.
My older house has only a few recessed lights in each room. Newer houses have them every couple of feet. Why would it be any worse for me to have 4 high wattage lights in a room than a newer house having 12-15 lower wattage lights? Doesn't make sense.
blech… what happened to the theory of letting us know how much cheaper CFL lights are, letting us make trade offs and having the fair market pick which deal is better? Heck, subsidies the CFL lights, if you want to push it, but let us choose!
Hmm… was considering replacing daughter's light with one with only 2 bulbs. Figured I could just put 2 100 watt bulbs in there and it will not be too much different than her 4 60watt bulbs… guess that is not a good idea now.
"Cowboy Logic 83p
Thats funny!
I wonder how many rounds can one hoarde, before you are branded a terrorist?"
That makes me no never mind Cowboy. I was already "branded a terrorist", (along with you, and 99% of the other posters here on BH and BG), on April 14th by the DHS for being a conservative and a VET.
Just giving them a poke in the eye with a hot stick, and thumbing my nose at them now and again is worth a good belly laugh for me. Heh.
Oh my friend, I'm quite serious about maintaining my freedom as an American…a free man in this Republic…just like this free man was, here ➥ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70csu2Z51sM
Long live our Republic!
Not Over.
SHHH…… I might be a terrorist. I have 2000, 12ga.. 6000, 45acp.. 4000, 308… 1500+ 303… 1000+30-06,.. 10,000, 22lr… 2000, 223 and some misc. others.
No. It is not over, it is just starting.
That video clip? That is exactly where we currently are. "It is time for all good men to stand up and be counted."
Unfortunately, where we are in this country, is an impasse. The country is split into two sides, equally split 50/50, and both sides are galvanized. The only thing WE have going for US, is the left has been historically anti-gun, while we have always been amply armed.
Before the shooting war starts, would it be worth another Million Man March to DC? We could do it while CON-gress was in session. Walk right up to the Capital Steps, do an about face, bend over and Moon them…………….
"Lions and tigers and bears oh my!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ3XQGQInbM
I think I'm going to cry…I'm just so proud of you.
Wal-Mart, here I come. Can't be out done now.
Not Over.
"Before the shooting war starts, would it be worth another Million Man March to DC?"
"bend over and Moon them……………."
Well, I say why not…that's just what those weasels in DC have been doing to US for years now haven't they?
Not Over.
"Before the shooting war starts, would it be worth another Million Man March to DC?"
"bend over and Moon them……………."
Well, I say why not…that's just what those weasels in DC have been doing to US for years now haven't they?
Not Over.
"Before the shooting war starts, would it be worth another Million Man March to DC?"
"bend over and Moon them……………."
Well, I say why not…isn't that just what those weasels in DC have been doing to us for years now. Haven't they?
Not Over.
I have been watching this pollution exchange for years. No surprise China has major environment problems now. They got all this dreck because they had the cheap labor to disassemble it and save every useful thing. I'm sure we're a major source of semi-raw materials for them. This is where all the old monitors have gone, for instance. Full of lead, no one in the US wants them. But, they too are starting to think about the waste and feeling a pinch–they've not taken as much in the last year. So where is it going now?
Thanks for the info, Jules. I've quoted you in my post
http://adriennescatholiccorner.blogspot.com/2009/...
Stupid CFLs don't work in ANYTHING that uses photocell technology (at least not at my house) because the photocell sees CFL light as sunlight. I tried one in a yard light and the stupid thing went blinking like a Christmas tree.
I'd be reposting this if you hadn't lumped lightbulbs in with gambling. Really? You see no difference?
Until the government pays my monthly electric bill, they don't get to tell me what electrical sources I use in my home.
They claim they are doing this for the environment, but the simple fact is CFL’s are more dangerous that incandesants are.
They contain mercury which is a deadly poison and they have to be disposed of properly…..do they really think that people are going to take all their burned out CFL’s to a stupid recycling center instead of choosing the easy way of just throwing them in the regular trash, thus contaminating the landfills with mercury….i dont think so. Also, you have to install them and remove them by grabbing the base only….you cant do that in a recessed fixture. So what are they going to do for those of us who still have a lot of recessed fixtures around the house? I guess we’ll just be in the dark…..thanks a lot you environmental kooks!
I’ve used CFL’s and the fact is, they dont last any longer than standard bulbs do…IN FACT, i have found they actually burn out QUICKER. I dont really know whose idea it was to go to these bulbs….but it was a hairbrained one.
The environmental paranoia continues.
Lets see now…
Building for my future, and future of my little boys:
1. 3 AR-15’s plus 25 magazines.
2. 1 AR style .308 with scope.
3. 1 Springfield XD40 with laser sights.
4. 1 Ruger 9mm with laser sights.
5. 1 Mossberg 500 shot gun. (Just to keep it personal).
6. Assorted semi-auto .22 hand guns and rifles.
7. Over 6,000 rounds of ammo for all makes and models.
8. A 1 year supply of freeze dried food, enough for 3 hungry mouths each.
9. Now stashing light bulbs and batteries to last for 3 years.
10. The feeling that we’ll be just fine after the “Zombie Apocalypse” is over…priceless.
Not Over.
The damned CFL light bulbs also cause migraines,so they are a physical hazard to any known migraine sufferer as well as to those who may, through the use of these bulbs, become a migraine sufferer.
I was looking around in WalMart yesterday and noticed that they are now making a compact florescent light that is enclosed in a frosted glass bulb that makes it look like an incandescent. You have to look closely to tell the difference. However, the price is the giveaway, about 10X.
My profession is lighting engineering and design. The big problem with the screw-in, self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps is that most of the ones available at the consumer level are trash. Brand does not matter. Even the "name brands" come out of the Joy River Sunshine Collective #47, or the Our Peerless Hero Mao Labor Camp 3A, or other such delightful places in China. And that can change from week to week.
I daresay that I have seen more failures in the "name brands" than I have in the house brands or other names no one ever heard of.
The dedicated CFs (that is, 2- and 4-pin lamps with separate ballasts) are a quite honest and usable product. They do a remarkably good job in schools, office buildings, etc, and are quite reliable. You just don't find them in homes very much.
I am able to get commercial-grade screw-ins, and they work reasonably well. But I won't even let a hardware store or DIY-center lamp in the house.
linkexpert: I hope like crazy you are being ironic here; if not, you sound like some pants-wetting, handwringing Prius driver.
If you drop a CF, you do exactly what your mom did when she dropped that fever thermometer.
a) grab a broom and dustpan
b) sweep up the mess
c) place in nearest wastebasket
d) if of a mind to do so, wash that part of the floor
e) go on with life
Momma: the screw-in CFs that flickered have been off the market for years; if any are left on the shelf it is because the shelf stockers did not rotate stock. Even the cheapies have electronic ballasts that step the frequency of the power quite high before it reaches the lamp itself.
This does NOT hold true for the 2-pin plug-in lamps with separate choke-ballasts found in things like porch fixtures and some fixtures used in bathrooms, but even those are going away.