BY RUSSELL TURNER
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Over the past few days there has been proposed legislation on the federal level that stops the phase out of the incandescent light bulb. If action had not been taken, in a few short months we Americans would have been forced to purchase the compact fluorescent bulbs that resemble a corkscrew. While conserving energy is a noble task, I feel that the government was totally overstepping its responsibility. The new corkscrew light bulbs are much more expensive that the old fashioned bulbs and they are difficult to dispose of safely because of the mercury in them. I have the belief that the market place is the best barometer on what is best for our nation. If the incandescent light bulb was to be a thing of the past, our manufacturing plants would have to close while the plants in China would gear up to produce more of the them.
Our federal government does not belong in the business of deciding the winners and losers in a free market economy, (anyone remember the solar panels by Solyndra). We all need to take a more practical look at how legislation can affect all of us. One example, during this time of high gasoline prices all of us are aware of the cost to commute to and from work. When we hear the government mandates for auto manufactures to increase fuel mileage, I often wonder if all of the bureaucrats take into consideration the limits of physics of if the consumer can afford the additional cost to build such an auto. It would be great if we could all have cars that could get 100 miles per gallon and all it would take to achieve that goal would be for some mandate from our government.
Over the history of this nation there have been leaders and statesmen that have cautioned us Americans about the consequences of our government if it is allowed to go beyond the well defined limits of its powers. Over 100 years ago Benjamin H. Hill, (1823-1882) U.S. Representative & Senator stated, "I have said I do not dread industrial corporations as instruments of power to destroy this country, because there are a thousand agencies which can regulate, restrain and control them; but there is a corporation we may all dread. That corporation is the federal government.”
The victory in stopping the ban on the light bulb was accomplished mainly by the efforts of the Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives. The battle over the simple light bulb was a small issue in comparison to many other regulations placed upon the American people. I hope that this battle will cause all of us to shine more light on other mandates being placed upon us.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Over the past few days there has been proposed legislation on the federal level that stops the phase out of the incandescent light bulb. If action had not been taken, in a few short months we Americans would have been forced to purchase the compact fluorescent bulbs that resemble a corkscrew. While conserving energy is a noble task, I feel that the government was totally overstepping its responsibility. The new corkscrew light bulbs are much more expensive that the old fashioned bulbs and they are difficult to dispose of safely because of the mercury in them. I have the belief that the market place is the best barometer on what is best for our nation. If the incandescent light bulb was to be a thing of the past, our manufacturing plants would have to close while the plants in China would gear up to produce more of the them.
Our federal government does not belong in the business of deciding the winners and losers in a free market economy, (anyone remember the solar panels by Solyndra). We all need to take a more practical look at how legislation can affect all of us. One example, during this time of high gasoline prices all of us are aware of the cost to commute to and from work. When we hear the government mandates for auto manufactures to increase fuel mileage, I often wonder if all of the bureaucrats take into consideration the limits of physics of if the consumer can afford the additional cost to build such an auto. It would be great if we could all have cars that could get 100 miles per gallon and all it would take to achieve that goal would be for some mandate from our government.
Over the history of this nation there have been leaders and statesmen that have cautioned us Americans about the consequences of our government if it is allowed to go beyond the well defined limits of its powers. Over 100 years ago Benjamin H. Hill, (1823-1882) U.S. Representative & Senator stated, "I have said I do not dread industrial corporations as instruments of power to destroy this country, because there are a thousand agencies which can regulate, restrain and control them; but there is a corporation we may all dread. That corporation is the federal government.”
The victory in stopping the ban on the light bulb was accomplished mainly by the efforts of the Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives. The battle over the simple light bulb was a small issue in comparison to many other regulations placed upon the American people. I hope that this battle will cause all of us to shine more light on other mandates being placed upon us.
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