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Health & Fitness

Lights out, folks

Say good-bye to the 100-watt bulb.

While there are certainly more egregious examples of governmental power-grabbing, few are as irritating to me as the ban on traditional incandescent light bulbs, one wattage category at a time.  This bi-partisan boondoggle goes into effect January 2012, at which time our trusty 100-watt Soft Whites will become history. The rest will disappear at a slow march each successive January.

And what are we left with?  CFLs?  Those things are ugly, expensive, slow-acting, and provide inferior lumens with significant mercury environmental hazards. LEDs and halogens are better, but why did the politicians feel the need to fix something that wasn't broken?

It always prompts an eye-roll when I hear some Greeniac complain that incandescent bulbs generate more heat than light.  As one who lives in a barn that's dark and chilly this time of year, I see that as a win/win.

There was a glimmer of hope a few weeks back when the Republicans tucked a provision into the omnibus spending bill that would have stopped the enforcement of this ludicrous, liberty-robbing policy.  But as has now become routine, the administration decided to ignore the will of Congress and simply move ahead.

Well, like a lot of Americans, I decided to take preemptive action by stocking up on incandescent bulbs.  And because I enjoy videography, I recorded the event for posterity (and the amusement of my family and friends).  You can click here to watch the short clip on YouTube.

I'm tired of our government making choices for me in areas where it has no constitutional authority.  I'm hoping the electorate sees the light in 2012.

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