Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) on “green” light bulbs. . .
I couldn’t resist sharing this video; it really is unbelievable.
As an owner of a new home myself, I have seen these new light bulb regulations in action. We have government-regulated “energy-efficient” bulbs in most all the common areas of our brand-new home. When I asked if I could switch out the bulbs for normal ones (the light is very harsh and “classroomy”), I was told the entire fixture was “green.” These new bulbs clip-in instead of the conventional screw-in bulb. The field supervisor explained that they were designed that way so people could not switch them out, even if they wanted to. Well, I figured I was too smart for that. “What if I bring in an electrician to switch out all the can fixtures for conventional ones?” I asked. He told me I would be hard-pressed to find one who would actually do it, because switching these “new” bulbs and fixtures for old ones is officially against the law now. When, oh when, will the government get out of my wallet and out of my life?! Today it’s light bulbs, what’s next?
My favorite line is, “Doesn’t this bother anybody?” Well, Mr. Poe, it bothers me.
If you are having trouble viewing the YouTube embed above, or if it’s taking too long to load, click HERE to view the clip.
June 15th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Where’s the link?
June 15th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Hi Frofreak. I’m so sorry, it seems to take a while to load. Try copying and pasting this link if you continue to have trouble: http://youtube.com/watch?v=e-LOtKIIKcg
June 15th, 2008 at 1:09 am
I personally don’t see the problem with that. I like the new energy saving light bulbs. I don’t like to see government regulating everything but if it brings about needed change, then what is the problem? I wonder if sometimes it takes government regulation to create enough public awareness to make changes. I am a US citizen living Australia and I have to say that there is A LOT more environmental awareness over here than back in the States. There is quite a lot of government regulation but it doesn’t really bother me very much. I have learned a lot about how to live in an environmentally friendly way and have found it very satisfying to do so. I don’t know if I would have made all of the changes I have made if it wasn’t regulated by the government. Having said all that, I don’t normally like to see government regulations in general. But how do you get people to change without them?
Anyways, those are my thoughts. I’m only new to the whole political scene but have found it very interesting to read the opinions of others.
June 15th, 2008 at 3:46 am
I have gone about 80% CFL in my home starting about 2003. I am really disappointed in the life expectancy of these CFLs. They do NOT last as long as a Incandescent bulb, cost 4 times as much. I have instead started replacing a number of fixtures with the more conventional tube Florescent bulbs. Seems the ole tube bulbs have much longer life then these new CFLs. I am also looking into LED bulbs. LED bulbs cost about $25, use 1/10th the electricity, last “forever”…. well 100,000 hrs. , not a fire risk.
My LED flashlight last about 10 times as long on a set of batteries.
anyway, my 2 cents worth…
June 15th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Amanda,
Great post and thanks for the YouTube embed.
It is ironic that a comment was made to the effect that some people won’t change their ways unless the government forces action on a certain behavior.
We were just talking about that subject earlier this morning. I have noticed a change in behavior in our neighborhood, starting after the Memorial Day weekend.
The neighborhood is noticeably quieter since gasoline has gone to about $3.89 per gallon in our area. Much less traffic, especially on weekends. I take our Boxer and our Irish Setter out every morning and have gotten used to keeping an eye on them when they are in the front yard because of all the traffic.
Now it is much more enjoyable because the traffic is way down and since I don’t have to worry so much about them dashing out into the street.
Obviously, people have to get to work and run errands, but what I have noticed is all the optional “running around” seems like it has been cut way back. I have also heard people talk about saving trips to the grocery store by stocking up a little better so they don’t have to make a second trip in the middle of the week.
If we “let the market place decide” I think we get better decisions. Rather than creating yet another layer of costly and inefficient bureaucracy, let’s rely on the collective wisdom of the American people to make their own judgments about what works best for them.
June 15th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Letting Americans make their own choices. . . I like it, John! Thanks for your comments.
And yes, with gas prices obscene as they are, I too have been doing less “running around.” But my husband still has to get to work, I still have to get to the grocery store and to our daughter’s preschool, high gas prices won’t change any of that. The money it has cost us to suffer the gas hike is significant. I can’t even remember the last time we ate out or saw a movie–really.
High fuel prices are costing Americans so much more than the sheer gas money alone. It is dampening our economy. When will America wake up and start drilling at home and becoming energy-independent? I long for the day.
While hybrids are great, saving energy is better, nothing is bad about having a cleaner planet, someone has to recognize that all those “inventions” just aren’t practical or readily-available. . . yet. What do we do in the meantime while our economy suffers because of this energy crisis? A government-regulated, highly TOXIC light bulb is simply not the answer.
And a brief note to Carol in Austrailia: I am surprised that you say you are not bothered by these new bulbs and regulations. Why wouldn’t such a toxic and expensive thing be offensive in every way? Did you have a minute to watch the video, or did you just read my personal two cents? Sure, these bulbs “save energy,” but why not weigh in on the hazards this bulb places on our health and on the health of those around us? Further, why not acknowledge the fact that these bulbs are made ONLY in China? It’s not saving energy that bothers me. Saving energy is great. It is shipping business from the USA over to China, having a toxic substance in my home and around my children separated only by a sheet of glass, and the fact that government is telling me what to do and how to live my life that “bothers me.”
June 16th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Mr. Cronin, you have it exactly. Carolyn’s post really saddened me. Americans have been brainwashed into believing that government, not the market place, its the best instrument to creating necessary change. I’m sorry, when government gets involved to force people to “do good” it is usually the wrong policy by the wrong people for the wrong purpose. A small example: In Canada, there are ministers going to jail for preaching from their Bibles. Yep, to mention that the Bible says homosexuality is a sin will cost you your freedom. Rather than discuss the merits of the gay lifestyle in the public arena, the government has decided for you and will punish you for continuing the debate.
We have all got to get over the idea that folks in government are somehow more of a genius than ourselves. They may have more money; more backing; or more of an ability to speak in public; but they are not smarter than the rest of us.
June 16th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Ha ha this guy rocks! It is an outrage, really. I didn’t know Congress was wasting my tax dollars trying to complicate my life, I was under the impression they were doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Was my last post borderline hateful. Pleas email me and let me know. I guess my post did get out of hand and I don’t blame you if you didn’t post it.
I am going to sum up my feeling about that in two sentences.
I thank Congress for high prices on practically everything and then I thank them for ignoring the real problem…themselves and now telling us that what light bulb we can use. Thank you Congress for your stupidity.