I can buy whatever I want!

Personally it is hard for me to get really excited over the question of what the government can or cannot tell us what to buy.  It does not damage my personal liberty when the government restricted cigarette smoking in public places or requires nutrition labels on food packaging.  It seems that many times that the government is forced to act on a safety or health issue only after years of research and debate.  The government has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of it's citizens.

      In July, the Republicans in congress and Rupert Murdock's Wall Street Journal  tried to draw a line in the sand over the "government nanny state".  The BULB Act became a rally call in the conservatives battle against government intrusion on personal liberty.  Representative Joe Barton, Texas Republican, said "The 2010 elections demonstrated that Americans are fed up with government intrusion.  The federal government has crept so deep into our lives that federal agencies now determine what kind of light bulb the American people are allowed to purchase".
       It is interesting that the Republicans and Fox News have picked this issue.  The 2007 Energy Bill(Passed under George W. Bush) raised energy efficiency standards for light bulbs that go into effect in 2014.  However from the hysteria I can almost picture light bulb police knocking on my door.  It seems that the Republicans are more interested in raising the fear of "socialist" government than in discussing issues facing our country.

Facts:

1. BULB Act failed to get two-third majority in the Republican- controlled house, in July 2011.
2.  Joe Barton quoted in Enviome Magazine, September 2011.
3.  Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was under George W. Bush.
4.  Light bulbs must be 25 to 30% more efficient by 2014.