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The Opposite of Enlightenment?

By Paperstone on July 14, 2011 in Office Environment

1930s woman fondling enormous German light bulb

Republicans in Washington are incandescent with rage over legislation which promotes energy-saving light bulbs.

The legislation – signed into law in 2007 by not-so-ecological George Bush – means that energy-guzzling 100-watt fluorescent light bulbs will no longer be available in the US from January 2012. While light bulbs just as bright and more efficient will remain available, certain of those on the American Right somehow see this as an affront to philosophical liberalism, or God, or something.

Michele Bachmann, founder of the Tea Party, has for a while called the law – which will reduce household energy costs by an average seven percent annually – government over-reach. It is an American’s right, she says, to buy light bulbs which fritter energy away.

Joe Barton, the Texan Republican at the head of the repeal campaign, said, “This is more than just energy consumption, it is about personal freedom.

“Voters sent us a message… that it is time for politicians and activists in Washington to stop interfering in their lives and manipulating the free market.”

Dimwits.

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Image shows an advert for the Osram Lamp Works from a 1931 edition of Science and Mechanics (Source: Modern Mechanix blog)

 

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