Tis the season to be lumenated
#21
And that summarizes quite well the most significant reason that I take umbrage with discussions such as this.
It is quite easy to mistake ignorance for conspiracy.
I genuinely believe that the vast majority of regulations such as this are written for one of two reasons. Either the individual proposing the regulation genuinely believes it to be of benefit (whether or not this belief is well-informed and supported by "good science"), or the individual believes that the regulation will gain them political support.
Neither of these count as conspiracy in my book. Altrusim and greed are both perfectly normal and common human desires. But neither are evidence of a Secret Cabal tasked with enslaving humanity.
It is quite easy to mistake ignorance for conspiracy.
I genuinely believe that the vast majority of regulations such as this are written for one of two reasons. Either the individual proposing the regulation genuinely believes it to be of benefit (whether or not this belief is well-informed and supported by "good science"), or the individual believes that the regulation will gain them political support.
Neither of these count as conspiracy in my book. Altrusim and greed are both perfectly normal and common human desires. But neither are evidence of a Secret Cabal tasked with enslaving humanity.
When was it suggested that a Secret Cabal was behind the forced market removal of incandescent bulbs? I have no doubt that the method by which new regulations are written and introduced is entirely mundane. That's entirely the point -- simple things like government bureaucracy, corporatism, and do-gooder nanny-statistism combine to gradually erode our individual liberty.
The issue of the incandescent bulb isn't raised because we expect people to be shocked or angered by the isolated loss of these bulbs. On the contrary, the issue is raised because it's symptomatic of the larger issue. It's an example of the mundane and every-day way our individual liberties are being constantly reduced.
#26
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Maybe because GE suggested to Washington they should pass this law, and pretty much own the market segement, set the price, and laugh all the way to the bank? And since GE is a heavily invested stock in Congress, the two, holding hands, laughed all the way to the bank?
#27
Light bulbs are not the countries number one problem. How about the goverment focus on real problems and come up with good solutions. Educate the public on light bulb choices and let them decide what they want. If they want 100w or 1000w bulbs then let em have it and the electric bill to go along with it. Don't meddle in the basics.
#29
Sex is not the countries number one problem. How about the goverment focus on real problems and come up with good solutions. Educate the public on sex choices and let them decide what they want. If they want protected or unprotected sex then let em have it and the child to go along with it. Don't meddle in the basics of sex ed.
#31
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since the market crashed, it's steadily, albeit slowly, going up.
and sarcasm aside, as trivial as you think it is, your post is 100% correct. guns are a metaphor. just as light bulbs are.
and sarcasm aside, as trivial as you think it is, your post is 100% correct. guns are a metaphor. just as light bulbs are.
#35
Why is it that the only way Constitutional rights and individual liberties are ever stripped away or encroached upon is by a secret, sinister plot?
blean99, do you honestly believe that the individual liberties of private citizens have not been reduced by unnecessary government interference?
blean99, do you honestly believe that the individual liberties of private citizens have not been reduced by unnecessary government interference?
#36
Yeah, I think that our individual liberties have been reduced, but the thing is Mg, I believe it's been reduced by all parties in our political system trying to each get their own slice of the pie. The moment you try to paint one side or another as being the culprit of it....Well, my brain explodes in shock. It's like the birthers to me.