Dim thinking in bulb decisions

In the world of politics, it is amazing how seemingly minor issues can become important. One sleeper issue is “light bulb freedom.” With a Federal ban on standard 100-watt incandescent bulbs coming up, apparently there was a public outcry. Congress, which can’t seem to agree on anything, passed a stay of execution for a few months. They actually accomplished something.

But wait, President Bush signed the ban into law in 2007. Incandescent aficionados have had five years to stock up! The legislation was probably useless anyway, as many light bulb makers already planned to discontinue production. Perhaps it was a way for politicians to take credit for the inevitable?

Perhaps we should be thankful for the comic relief. But to those lamenting the loss of those bulbs, the message is clear. Buy now.

Peter VandeMotter

Mundelein