what do you think of legislation banning incandescent light bulbs?

Question

There are a few states with bills to ban sales of incandescent light bulbs being considered. What to you think of this?

There are a couple of issues here, one being whether government should be legislating laws about what we can buy when the item is not harmful at all, but only considered 'inferior' to another similar item. Is this too much government? Will they be legislating what kind of appliances you can buy? Will we be fined for using banned items?

The second issue is whether or not energy saving fluorescent bulbs really are superior in all ways to incandescents, including full spectrum light bulbs.

Another issue is,, if it is good to legislate such things for our own good, why pick light bulbs as the top priority, while cigarette sales are not banned, nor are gas guzzling vehicles,,, and, on the other hand, more efficient energy savers, like solar and wind sources are not being rewarded.

Answer 1

I didn't know that some states were thinking about this. I agree with your points...isn't there something more important that governments can do with their time?

I understand the need to save electricity and all...but I am quite certain that incandescent bulbs are not the largest wasters of electricity.

Additionally, although I enjoy the whiter light that comes from flourescent lights, there is a flickering to them that causes my eyes to get tired easily.

I don't think it should be in ANY law that we can or not buy something neutral like certain types of light bulbs.

Answer 2

In California, where blackouts from too many people using too much energy is a real problem, I can see the banning of less efficient light sources becoming a reality. The newer lightbulbs use 25% less energy than incandescents.

Solar power is very expensive to install and not everyone lives in an area where the sun is readily available at all times of the year. Wind sources are becoming more and more popular, however they are being blocked in some areas - where their use would be phenomonal - by military whose radars pick up the propellors as aircraft.

Living in a free society does not mean you get to live in it free of responsibility. We have laws against rape, murder, assault and theft because people can not be entirely trusted to self regulate. Likewise, we have laws regulating corporations and the products they make, because organizations of people, like individual people themselves, can not be entirely trusted to self-regulate.

As for why cigarettes are still legal.. that's easy. Two reasons. One, we've tride outlawing a harmful and popular drug before - alcohol - and that only made violent crime go through the roof. Two, cigarettes have paid off more politicians to keep it legal.

Answer 3

A couple of things to consider in your search for info look at the efficiency of the light bulb incandescent bulbs produce a lot of heat along with the light and are hence very inefficient try associating Tungsten with your search incandescent bulbs typically uses tungsten in them and there growing concern over the limited amount of tungsten and it's use in a throw away technology also look at the longevity of incandescent bulbs vs fluorescent lamps fluorescent lamps tend to have much longer lifetimes

Answer 4

Well I don't live in Cali so, I don't have any strong views on this issue.... But I do know that cali has a HUGE population and these bulbs would make a huge difference in the energy consumed in the state if all residents were mandated to use them.

I really don't see why anyone would be against it.

The cigarette issue though.... I don't know your states particular laws but I am sure they probably receive a lot of revenue from the cigarette taxes paid and that's why they aren't willing to address that issue.

Answer 5

Don't you just love it when they can sit back and pass laws telling us what we can and can not do. But on the other hand...it is THEY who waste more gasoline in their gas guzzling limos...and planes...and helicopters. And I just wonder if all the bulbs in Washington will be changed? Any body want to make a bet, none???

Edited to add: The governor of Texas is mandating that all teenage girls get vaccines to prevent STDs. That is invading your private life folks! Light bulbs and then what?? It's getting too scary for me.

Answer 6

Do we really need government to tell us what lightbulbs to buy and use. Are there no bigger issues for our elected officials to worry about?

But then again, who can figure out what people will make top priority. Maybe lightbulbs will be the next national platform. Yes, the national deficit is because industries have to spend so much more to manufacture and sell them because they are inferior products.

Sigh.....

Answer 7

i don't agree with legislation about it,but the flourescents save energy and last longer. the cost is higher but i believe in the long run they are worth it. there are credits for solar and wind power.
carter and ford were the first prsidents to encourage alternate energyand independence from foreign oil,think of the benefits if we would have listened.

Answer 8

If you take incandescent light bulbs out of the hands of law abiding citizens, only criminals will have incandescent light bulbs.

Answer 9

I agree with the concept, but disagree with the government mandating something like this. Each person should decide for themselves. I mean, what would we have--light bulb cops?

Answer 10

I'm not a fan of the government legislating things like this. We should all be able to make the choices that are right for our situations.

The government needs to stay out of my life! I manage it just fine, thanks...