The incandescent bulb eventually replaced the oil lamp, and the oil lamp had replaced candles, yet the government never felt the need to step in and ban the use of oil lamps or candles. And both of those are still in use today in certain circumstances (good thing for those of us who had our power knocked out in that recent ice storm).

I use lots of the new CFLs in my home. I really like them. They put out plenty of light in most cases, they use less energy, and I have yet to have one burn out. But they are also slow to give full light. Especially the ones in my bedroom. Not that it is a bad thing in the morning for the light to get slowly brighter, but in some cases you just don't want to w...

The incandescent bulb eventually replaced the oil lamp, and the oil lamp had replaced candles, yet the government never felt the need to step in and ban the use of oil lamps or candles. And both of those are still in use today in certain circumstances (good thing for those of us who had our power knocked out in that recent ice storm).

I use lots of the new CFLs in my home. I really like them. They put out plenty of light in most cases, they use less energy, and I have yet to have one burn out. But they are also slow to give full light. Especially the ones in my bedroom. Not that it is a bad thing in the morning for the light to get slowly brighter, but in some cases you just don't want to wait on that light. I too think LEDs will eventually take over. And when the price comes down enough and the efficiency goes up enough and when they give you light you can count on with just the flick of a switch, then the demand for the older technology would drop to the point that it would no longer be profitable.

I'm just glad they never banned horseback riding. Would have made for a dull childhood for me.

1. CFLs aren't made in America. None of them. Zip, zilch, nadda. Incandescent are, but not CFLs.

2. Are you sure you aren't buying incandescent bulbs? Instant light and American made doesn't describe CFLs, it describes incandescent or halogen, but not CFLs. When you turn on a CFL it starts off about 60% brightness and then builds up as it warms up. In many situations that is just fine, but in others it isn't.

And I don't know exactly what your problem is with me. As I said, I like and use CFLs. I probably have more in my house right now than a majority of people posting here. I just have a problem with outlawing incandescent bulbs, especially in the name of environmental friendliness. CFLs...

1. CFLs aren't made in America. None of them. Zip, zilch, nadda. Incandescent are, but not CFLs.

2. Are you sure you aren't buying incandescent bulbs? Instant light and American made doesn't describe CFLs, it describes incandescent or halogen, but not CFLs. When you turn on a CFL it starts off about 60% brightness and then builds up as it warms up. In many situations that is just fine, but in others it isn't.

And I don't know exactly what your problem is with me. As I said, I like and use CFLs. I probably have more in my house right now than a majority of people posting here. I just have a problem with outlawing incandescent bulbs, especially in the name of environmental friendliness. CFLs aren't right for all situations. They don't provide maximum light instantly, so not something you would want to use for emergency or security lighting. They contain mercury so they aren't something you would want to use in places where the risk of breakage is high. They cost a lot so there are times you may want to sacrifice long life for the lower cost. They have a flickering which bothers some people and can increase headaches (nothing that I have noticed, but others have). They have different light output which can effect everything from how your paint looks to how photograph appear to bothering people who have conditions that make them light sensitive.

I am not saying we shouldn't have CFLs, I am saying the government shouldn't ban incandescents. Eventually, one of these days a light will come along that is more efficient, cheap enough, and without the drawback of CFLs which will drive incandescent usage so low that it is no longer profitable to mass produce them. But that should be decided by the markets, not the government.