Light Bulbs and Liberty

Congresswoman Jane Harman is one of the few Democratic politicians whom I think actually has a reasonable grasp on U.S. foreign policy. Which is probably why Nancy Pelosi robbed her of her deserved post on the House Intelligence Committee.

Unfortunately, Harman's domestic policy seems as troubling a typical Democrat's foreign policy. She has introduced a bill that would ban the sale of traditional incandescent light bulbs.

I make generous use of fluorescent blubs myself. Not really out of environmental concerns, but rather because it makes economic sense to do so. As Harmon points out on an entry on HuffPo:

Only 10% of the power used by today's incandescent bulbs is emitted as light. A full 90% is released as heat. The typical 60 watt bulb only lasts 750-1,000 hours. Most fluorescent bulbs can last 8 to 10 times longer.

You do the math, and it makes a lot more sense to use fluorescent bulbs. But I have absolutely no interest in the government dictating the kinds of light bulbs that light bulb producers can manufacture. If people want to buy inefficient light bulbs, they should have the freedom to do so. This is the United States not The Nanny State.

You let this kind of thing slide, and you run the risk of the government over stepping its bounds elsewhere.

Like maybe some day they'll start telling restaurants they can't use certain kinds of cooking oils. Oh wait.

At least it hasn't gotten to the point of the government taking away citizens' houses, right?

via digg...

A Christmas Card for Property Rights

First, any American not familiar with the (outrageous and dangerous) Kelo descision should take some time to read up on it (give Kelo v. New London on Wikipedia a read).

Susette Kelo, who's property rights were trampled by the decision, sent a rather angry (but certainly apt) Christmas card to members of the New London City Council and New London Development Corporation (the groups responsible for her losing her home.) The text of the card:

Here is my house that you did take
From me to you, this spell I make
Your houses, your homes
Your family, your friends
May they live in misery
That never ends
I curse you all
May you rot in hell
To each of you
I send this spell
For the rest of your lives
I wish you ill
I send this now
By the power of will

George Milne, former president of the New London Development Corporation (and thus a recipeient of the card) commented that the card was "immensely childish" and further added "It's sort of sad she elected to do this ... We were trying to do things for the city. It was nothing personal."

Note to Milne: Any time the government seizes your home, it's personal.