Potentially Bright News

A politician who promised to hold hearings on the light bulb ban that isn't technically a ban, but is just as good as one, has finally bowed (HT: Instapundit) to pressure to ... keep his own promise:

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., has finally agreed to support a bill this summer that means lights out on the looming 2012 ban on the common light bulb. Upton himself co-sponsored 2007 legislation making light bulbs illegal, a ban that has become a symbol of bipartisan Big Government run amok.

Upton has come under increased pressure in recent weeks, sources say, after failing to follow up on a promise he made after assuming the committee chairmanship that he would hold hearings on reversing the ban. After months of paralysis - and with the ban just six months from going into effect on January 1 - outrage was building among his own Republican committee colleagues and conservative activists, including a national petition campaign, FreeOurLight.org, sponsored by the influential Competitive Enterprise Institute. [bold added]

I like the phrase, used by Henry Payne of The Michigan View, "bipartisan big government," because it kills two birds with one stone: First, the phrase makes clear that the Republicans will need to earn a reputation as a party that opposes government interference with the economy. Second, it refuses to treat bipartisonship as if it were some unquestionable virtue among politicians.

I suppose, in the same spirit of New York Times reports to the effect that opponents of the ban were raising a stink about nothing, one could offer assurances to any leftish acquaintances who are bothered by this (as evidenced by any panicked or belittling remarks about such an effort) that they're blowing smoke. "Hey! It's not really a ban, anyway, so let the Republicans flap their gums."

Three cheers to Free Our Light, and may their efforts pay off. Incidentally, they are still collecting signatures.

-- CAV