Twisty bulb wisdom is a variant of "pretzel logic." Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune carries a "point/counterpoint" discussion of the Edison light bulb ban. Writing in favor of the ban is Matthew Auer, a professor at Indiana U. Opposed to the ban is Amy Ridenour, the head of the National Center for Public Policy Research.
Professor Auer calls the ban "smart domestic policy". Ms. Ridenour points out the measure is really foreign policy because "[t]he bulb ban creates jobs. In China, sure where 75 percent of CFLs are made."
But Professor Auer's headline really gives the game away, "This is less about freedom and more about wisdom."
Ah, "Wisdom." When I was a kid, you knew when a cartoon character got a great idea because an Edison light bulb appeared over her head. Now wisdom is defined by getting rid of the Edison light bulb.
In the world inhabited by Prof. Auer, you and I are too stupid to know what kind of light bulb we should screw into a socket. We rely on the wise men to tell us which ones are good and to keep the bad ones out of reach. Because wisdom always trumps freedom.
But if I make a mistake, the only ones harmed are myself, and perhaps, my immediate family. If Prof. Auer guesses wrong, all 300 million of us suffer. When power is concentrated in the hands of a wise few, freedom shrinks and misery spreads widely.
The lesson here for Aspirational Conservatism is about de-regulating America. Regardless of the merits of incandescent vs. LED light bulbs, in no world should lighting preferences be the province of the Crown.
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