Light-bulb socialism

Bright Lights Done in By Dim Bulbs

“B eginning today, it is a crime to manufacture or ship for sale a traditional 75-watt incandescent light bulb in the European Union. Autocrats in Brussels last year declared war on Edison's greatest invention with a ban on 100-watt lamps. Homes throughout the Old World will continue to dim until incandescent lighting of all types is snuffed out in 2012 - the same year the United States is scheduled to begin a phaseout schedule mirroring the European plan. [... light-bulb socialism] ” The enabling legislation was an early bellwether for what a Democrat congress was capable of,  after the 2006 elections gave them control.  Crafted by John Dingel, and signed, for god knows what reason, by Bush, it was a victory for the now discredited AGW movement. Fit nicely with Democrat distaste for bright lighting, too. If you've tried to purchase 100, or even 75 watt incandescent light bulbs lately, you know that manufacturers, cued no doubt by retailers, are already in compliance.  The ceiling floods we've been forced to buy are a disaster.  Switch on the kitchen light, and wait about 5 minutes.  That's how long it takes before full brightness is achieved.  Add it to the list of things  that must be repealed. “ Two years ago, New Zealanders faced an imminent ban. The National Party, at the time in the minority, made overturning the light-bulb scheme a priority in its campaign against the ruling Labor government. The public responded favorably to the party that proclaimed that it "stands for freedom, choice, independence and ambition." In December 2008, the National Party  government overturned the light-bulb ban. Republican challengers seeking an edge over Democrats in November could learn a few things from the Kiwis. [ibid] ”