Light Bulbs: One View
Recently there has been a bit of news about Congress and their actions in banning and making incandescent light bulbs illegal. Yes, in case you missed that, in a few years it will be illegal to use certain light bulbs. It’s not quite clear yet if they’ll throw you in jail for using them, or only if you sell them. Yesterday I read a letter that was written in response to Joseph Farah’s commentary about light bulbs and freedom.
The response was quite interesting. It did indeed take the position that government has absolutely no business regulating the light bulb. As Mr. Farah says, it’s more about freedom than light bulbs or the global warming hoax. But Robert Dickman, writing in response, makes various claims explaining why the CFL light bulb is so much “better” than the currently popular incandescent bulb. But he only looks at one side: the “benefits” of the bulb.
He first makes the point that the CFL can save a large company money because they won’t have to replace or stock so many incandescent bulbs. I have to wonder how many large companies Mr. Dickman has been in recently — ALL the large buildings and companies I’ve been in already use fluorescent bulbs — the big, long ones you see in various fixtures — perhaps for that very reason. So I’m not sure you’re convincing anyone there, they’re already convinced (for the most part).
Next, he addresses the “danger” of the mercury content of the bulbs. He claims that there really is no danger because the amount of mercury is so small. On this part, we certainly agree, Mr. Dickman — but it’s the government that has made rules that are claiming that the CFL has dangerous levels of mercury — not the people who support using incandescent bulbs! Yes, the very same government that is forcing people to use them claims they are dangerous.
Finally, Mr Dickman gets to the part that inspired me to write this response. He goes on about the amount of energy that might be saved if everyone used the CFR bulbs in the summer (never mind the idea that switching to CFRs will INCREASE actual carbon emissions). He says that since the CFR bulbs don’t generate heat, cooling bills will be lower and utilities will have an easier load on them.
There’s two MAJOR unintended consequences of that action.
First, what about the rest of the year? While demands for cooling may be less in the summer, without incandescent bulbs, demand for heating will go WAY up. We’re already having major problems with heating oil in the Northeastern US. Forcing people to buy more expensive bulbs AND buy more heating oil just puts an even bigger load on individuals — never mind the companies that need to buy, produce, and distribute heating oil. Then there’s the increased demand that’s going to be put on all other electrical generating plants all winter long. Which is worse — a blackout in the summer or a blackout in the dead of winter?
Second, as has been recently witnessed in Charlotte, NC, if the utility doesn’t bring in the money they expect, they will raise the rates. In other words, if people switch to using CFRs and they don’t purchase as much electricity, the utilities will use government to increase their rates, ensuring they get the same amount of money they had before — resulting in a net savings of zero to customers (and actually a net increase in expense to the consumer because those increased rates will apply to other uses of electricity as well).
So let’s debate the CFRs — but let’s make sure we include all the facts and ramifications. And most of all, let’s get government out of the way. If consumers choose the CFRs, let them use them. If consumers choose the incandescent bulb, let them have that option. It’s how things would be in a free country.
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Funny you should mention this issue. Right now, in my living room lamps I have a lamp with a CFL bulb in it and one with an incandescent bulb, and the one with an incandescent bulb puts out a nice, clear white light. I can see to sew or read much better with that light, whereas the CFL puts out a dimmer, yellowish light and heaven forbid it should get broken in the house as I will no doubt have to call out a HASMET team!!! Ogre, this is exactly what you say it is… another Gooberment Scam to steal away yet another freedom. And who is going to benefit from it??? No doubt the Goracle is making a nice little kickback from General Electric (the company with the patent on the CFL bulbs). You can alway follow the MONEY TRAIL when it comes to stealing away freedom and it leads to the Global Warming Hoax, ALGOR the GW Goracle and Companies that stand to make money hand over fist by the fraud. It makes me sick quite frankly.
It did indeed take the position that government has absolutely no business regulating the light bulb. ..amen amen!:)
[...] Ogre gives his views on the whole CFL lightbulb debate [...]
These days if you follow the money, you’ll always find government at the other end.
I told Mr Weenie that starting in the fall we will need to start stocking up on light bulbs.
Army Mom - when you do buy CFL’s make sure you get the white light ones. CFL’s actually come in different levels of “whiteness”. They have white, a yellowish color and a blue color. Read the box.
Ours are the white ones and I have to admit that they are a lot more bright then regular light bulbs.
While we are using them, we are only using them because they will save some money in the long run, it has nothing to do with the ecological factors.
That’s when I’m starting, too. I’ve cleared a space in the garage and plan on buying them by the case. I’m not sure what the black market value will be, or what the punishment will be for selling them…
I am cleaning out my attic, I’m sure I can save a few thousand bulbs there!
Thanks QW, I will read the package next time. I bought the one I have as an experiment since they are supposed to last a lot longer and save energy. Now I feel like a moonbat for even having one in my house!
Is your hubby OK with being Mr. Weenie??? LOL!!! Sometime I would be very interested in hearing how you came up with that moniker QW????
You better start stocking up now because in a few years you will not be able to buy any… at least not on the open, legal market.
for some actual infomation on Mercury Polution go to:
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/index.htm
The best way to reduce mercury emissions is to get rid of coal burning electricity plants.
Interesting. Nothing to do with the point of this post, but thanks for providing that, all the same!
The demcreep CONgress full of real dim-bulbs when it come to politcal animals the demacratic donkey is the most stupidist of them all
I can’t argue that with you. Of course, the Elephant isn’t far behind these days.