Some Blog Site

Some misguided countries are banning or considering banning the good-old incandescent light bulb (GS) to force people to use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). That is a bad idea. Not that CFLs are a bad idea, but banning GSes is a bad idea.

The article linked in the ‘bad idea’ phrase above recommends taxing incandescent bulbs instead of banning them. This would have a similar effect of forcing people to CFLs, but people could still choose GSes if they wanted. I agree that a tax would be better than a ban, but I disagree that the recommended action for governments is to add taxes. I do agree that if you want less of something, tax it, and if you want more of something, then subsidize it.

But I believe the government shouldn’t need to do anything in this case. CFLs should have to earn their place in a competitive market like any other product. If they are truly worth it (“a CFL can save you $45 in energy costs”), then people will use them. Most people don’t want to spend more money on things than they need to spend. But if they are not worth it (“but a CFL won’t work in my unheated garage, in my refrigerator, with my dimmer switch, etc.“) then people will reject them. If CFLs are worth being bought, then advertisers are fully capable of getting the public to buy them.

“But as for you, only keep yourselves from the things under the ban, so that you do not covet {them} and take some of the things under the ban, and make the camp of Israel accursed and bring trouble on it.”
– Joshua 6:18