In his recent post calling for a repeal of the ban on incandescent light bulbs Kenneth wrote, "Light bulbs may be small things, but liberty is a big thing." Looks like Congressman Upton was persuaded:
Republican Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan – the man running against Texas Rep. Joe Barton to be Chairman of the Energy and Commerce committee in the next Congress– has reversed his position on CFL light bulbs. The move is significant not only because Upton wants to be chairman of one of the House’s most powerful committees, but also because he championed the incandescent bulb ban and switch to CFLs just three short years ago.
Now, Upton says that if he becomes chair of the Energy Committee, he will help undo the law he was instrumental in getting passed. He even went a step further by admitting Congress can make mistakes – a candid admission that symbolizes Upton may be trying to solidify his conservative credentials with the incoming class of “Tea Party” Republicans.
“The last thing we wanted to do was infringe upon personal liberties — and this has been a good lesson that Congress does not always know best,” Upton said in a statement.
Just goes to show you that for $3.47 a month, you too can make a stand and have your voice heard!
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Comments :
Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
Sweet of you, Diane, but you do give me undue credit.
I think Upton's change of heart has more to do with the fact that his campaign to secure a waiver from Boehner in order to chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee is under heavy fire from conservatives who think - rightly, in my opinion - that he's a squish and an AGW devotee.
And, since the incandescent ban was largely a creature of his own making, he's now back-pedalling as furiously as possible.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
Kenneth - I really wish I had a hi-res photo of you. I wanted to photoshop a CFL bulb over your head for every time you had a brilliant idea. (And you have had more than a few.)
A CFL bulb? Is that a light that has a 55-yard line?
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
"The last thing we wanted to do was infringe upon personal liberties." As usually happens with these guys, the last thing they considered was the first thing that happened. If they considered it at all.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
Oh, that would be sweet! Those CFLs are twisted (literally)! Dangerous, and depressing!
May '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
No, CFLs are fine- for those who like them and choose to buy. Not as a coerced symbol of environmental virtue.
We have our eagle eyes on you, Rep. Upton. We are now waiting for you to call Pat Michaels to chop on the CAGW research budget. No, better, insert language into the Authorization requiring that all proposals and all peer-review evaluations be posted on-line with reviewers and comments identified, that the IPCC start over, and Richard Lindzen be appointed head of GISS.
Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
EJHill:
A CFL bulb? Is that a light that has a 55-yard line? · Dec 7 at 10:52am
Hopefully the mandate doesn't last as long as the Las Vegas Posse.
Edited on Dec 7, 2010 at 11:36amJun '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
AGW in its totality should be next on the hit list. Whoever hacked the East Anglia CRU computers already did the hard work. Bloggers have analysed the leak sufficiently to provide the ammo. It's time this fraud was fully exposed. Public money was spent to fund the research. That gives Congress the right to investigate and hold hearings. The MSM failed in their duty as public watchdog. It's time for the House to act. Hearings now!
May '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
Let the incandescent bulb be superceded by shunning...
May '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
This is terrible news. Now what am I supposed to do with the garage full of incandescents I got ready to sell, sell, sell once Prohibition prices kicked in? Had to take out a second mortgage on my fallout shelter to build up that inventory.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
There's always the re-export market.....
Nov '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
Fred Upton is a demagogue and should not be trusted. He can show his sincerity on this by promising to buy all of the incandescents we have stockpiled as soon as the ban is repealed.
Actually, anyone who stockpiled may be glad they did even if the ban is lifted because so much incandescent production capability has been scrapped in anticipation of the ban the bulbs may still be scarce for a while, and therefore pricey.
Nov '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
This whole light bulb thing and Upton himself reminds me of a quote from a co-worker. When dealing with our wonderful government lab bureaucracy, he said, "There is nothing more dangerous and frustrating than a stupid person with a bit of power."
Nov '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
Duane Oyen
No, CFLs are fine- for those who like them and choose to buy. Not as a coerced symbol of environmental virtue.
Indeed. I quite like not having to change my bulb for two or three years at a time. Doesn't mean I don't want the option.
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
As someone who gets headaches from those CFL lightbulbs, this is most welcome news.
Sep '10
Re: Ricochet Member Persuades Congressman to Press for Repeal of Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs
Ditto. When I encounter them at friend's houses, I call them "Al Gore illicit massage lights with the free poison mercury kit."