Normal lightbulbs have become illegal to sell in Canada.
They’ve now been banned.
Flourescent light bulbs are still sold, though. The plan is to soon replace all normal bulbs with flourescent bulbs, because flourescent bulbs cost less to produce. Mainly, the flourescent bulbs take less power to keep on.
Not too long after this choice, the Canadian government is now considering banning plastic-bags, and replacing them all with paper-bags, because one is bio-degradable and the other is not, etc.
I consider these steps towards a technocracy [/ or a planned-economy].
I think that’s good, because one step will soon lead to another. If this process goes right, they will keep on making changes like this. First the smaller ecological issues will be faced publically, and then, later-on, the larger ecological issues will begin to be faced and treated.
Then they’ll have to resort to reusable fabric bags. I’ve seen this extremely economical (and planet friendly) solution practiced in England and Japan. Large fabric handbags with handles beat the durability and efficiency of plastic and paper.
Yes, “have to” is the reason it’s a bad idea. I think it’s awesome that Canada has the kind of Government that does things like that, and better still, the kind of people that apparently think it’s cool. What we need in the U.S. is more people like that, so our own Government can run smoother with fewer complaints.
Japan is one of the most energy-efficient countries around.
And yeah, I think it’d be smart to have bags which people don’t need to throw away afterwards, etc. → But what I would like to see after these few laws about the conveniences & household products, would be laws banning certian kinds of inefficient power-plants, and replacing them with more efficient, modernized power-plants. Maybe some factory revolutions too.
If you read the news online, you’ll see that Australia has done it, and Canada is seriously considering phasing them out by like 2012 or so. I can’t find anything that says anything has changed as of today.
Your statements are false and misleading.
You found some news fragments and created a myth to support your doomsday prediction.
I am sure you can get a UN resolution based on this.
Even better, invade them. It is going to be easy, they speak English.
By the way, have you heard that Canada has a ‘NEW Conservative Canadian Government’.
I’m Uccisore, the American who just told you that canada probably hasn’t done anything yet, by pointing out that the news doesn’t back up what Dan was saying.
Dan~ is the guy that told everyone Canada banned lightbulbs, and since he’s Canadian, I don’t get the impression he’s going to invade Canada.
If Dan is Canadian he would know that the lightbulb banning is initiated by the state of Ontario which is not the Canadian Government as Arnold is not the President.
The shopping bag ban is so far one city.
The lightbulb change itself is an interesting move since those neon types are available from years but people did not use them.
The plastic bags uproar is directed to the oil and chemical companies.
Reports on sea of plastic bags floating in the oceans made people realize that it is really an environmental hazard and
they are willing to give up their convenience for their environment. The fact of high oil prices and that plastic bags made of oil makes it a protest.
This issue is an other level of government.
If you are suggesting that governments of the day are walking all over our freedom, then I agree, but not based on these issues.
It’s a small thing, since it’s not my country. If I was complaining about something, it would be Canadian people lapping it up and saying, “Oh boy, thank you for taking stuff away from us!” Even if it were a good idea, it should at least be accepted grudingly, not with eager eyes looking around to see what they can ban next.
If the bag thing is on a city level, that’s totally fine with me. From my American perspective, I think there’s a lot more a tiny Government should be able to get away with than a national one. But the light bulb thing just seems like a horrible idea to me, and the reason is, I pay for electricity. Assuming that’s how it works in Canada too, they ought to be able to have 40 incandescent bulbs and 75 hairdryers all running around the clock in their homes if they want to, and it’s none of any body’s business as long as they pay the inflated bill.
AUSTIN, Texas Feb 2, 2007 (AP)— Bypassing the Legislature, Republican Gov. Rick Perry signed an order Friday making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.
By issuing an executive order, Perry apparently sidesteps opposition in the Legislature from conservatives and parents’ rights groups who fear such a requirement would condone premarital sex and interfere with the way parents raise their children.
Beginning in September 2008, girls entering the sixth grade meaning, generally, girls ages 11 and 12 will have to get Gardasil, Merck & Co.'s new vaccine against strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV.
…Perry also received $6,000 from Merck’s political action committee during his re-election campaign. abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=2845221
NEW YORK, Feb. 16 (UPI) – At least 20 states are considering mandatory human papilloma virus vaccinations, but a backlash is developing against the trend, The New York Times reported. sciencedaily.com/upi/index.p … pvshot.xml
In Canada, the federal government announced in its March 2007 budget that $300 million over three years will be available to the provinces and territories in support of a national vaccination program. The Conservative government noted that when new vaccines become available, it’s critical to make them available to Canadians as soon as possible.
… In March 2007, the Texas House of Representatives voted 119 to 21 in favour of rescinding Gov. Rick Perry’s mandate to vaccinate sixth-grade girls with Gardasil. cbc.ca/news/background/cancer/gardasil.html
You can find the same from Germany to Australia.
Estimated revenue for Merck is up to 4 Billion $US.
$6,000 for a governor? Cheap!
So, are you saying that it’s ok because the U.S. does it, are you saying that these examples are somehow worse than what’s going on in Canada, or what?
In the examples you gave, the vaccination thing depends. If it’s a vaccination against a disease that is easily spread, then I absolutely support the state’s rights to make it mandatory, it would be crazy not to innoculate the people against a catchy, fatal virus, and if people don’t want the vaccinations, that just has to be too bad. If we’re talking about a virus that doesn’t spread, or doesn’t have life-threatening effects, then it seems excessive- for example, mandatory small pox vaccinations would be a good idea, mandatory flu vaccinations not. There are people who consider vaccinations against their religious beliefs, and if they aren’t causing a public health risk by not getting them, that ought to be respected.
How would you argue a similar case for[i] light bulbs[/i]? Seems completely different to me- for one, it's not life or death. For two, it's a matter of paying for convenience, electricity isn't free so people should be allowed to waste if it they want. Three, incandescent light bulbs do things the other kind don't, such as provide heat, work well with dimmer switches, and so on.
Last but not least, as far as I can tell the mandatory vaccinations are provided. The light bulb issue amounts to forcing people to spend on a more expensive product, and hurts competition which is a bad thing.
So I don’t really see the comparison. A much more appropriate comparison would be the ban on DDT, which is a perfect parallel- environmentalists and leftists pushing for a ban on a useful product for spurious reasons. Very similar.
"Attendance and testimony needed in Austin at Public Hearing on Thursday 7/10/03
…If HB 89 is allowed to pass, parents in Texas would have a mere two months of legal
protection to obey their conscience and follow personally held religious
beliefs regarding vaccination, only to have their rights ripped away from
them again on November 1st." aapsonline.org/alerts/texas709.htm
Did you see the date?
It makes no difference if american or canadian or other.
But if they can force parents to vaccinate their children what would stop them with the bulbs.
I agree with you, it is unacceptable but if you are looking for reasons start with the obvious ones.
In most cases it is simply follow the money. Nothing new there.
We are continuously being threatened what is new that the conservative governments use these to justify stripping away our rights. Even that is old news.
What is really new … I don’t know.
Where do all these idiots are coming from.
The first rule in avoiding cone artists:
If a deal sounds to good to be true …
If someone offers you big return on investment and no risk …
Vote for change …get f…!
Time and time again it has been shown that a group of people will not act in its own best interest if it involves any apparent sacrifice on the individual level. Any time a government acts in the best interest of the group, even if it forces compliance, it is acting according to its highest purpose. Banning plastic bags and incandescent bulbs are clearly cases where the best interests are being sought. The question of forced vaccination is decidedly different. In this case it is only the best short term interests of Merck & Co. that are being looked after.
light bulbs and plastic bags are small things, but when they are wasted on a large scale they contribute to large environmental issues.
To incorporate less wasteful and environmental friendly alternatives is not opposing personal freedoms, especially when we are talking about small things like plastic bags and light bulbs.
It could go dogmatically overboard, true. But, that is why you need to keep checks and balances. Just b/c of the slight sliver possibility that these policies could go to dogmatic, does not justify not implementing these changes.
We live in a world where humans are overconsuming and wrecking substantial havoc on the environment, and it seems like we are consistently getting worse. This needs to be halted if we want to preserve waht we love about nature and our resources.
I applaud the canadian provinces/cities who are taking these measures, why can’t us dumb, overly individualist selfish american asses learn something for once. Everything is about “my” freedom, “my” this and “my” that. It is time to get past the terrible 2’s, and learn the balance of give and take.
When people, and I mean average people are given the information required to make a decision they will make the right one.
It might take time but they will get there.
I went to Ikea on the weekend and bought some new ‘bulbs’.
They are more expensive then regular ones, they look almost the same, and they supposed to last 10 times longer. Will see.
My biggest fear was that I do not like tubes because I can see the flashing and it makes me dizzy after a while. These Ikea ones are quite good.
To ban bulbs would be the same then banning beef or beer just to stay with ‘b’.
Banning alcohol, banning abortion, banning blacks or lesbians never worked.
=D>