As opposed to using pricing mechanisms to achieve goals is no better illustrated than in this pathetic excuse for a law:
“Power-hungry TVs will be banned from store shelves in California after state regulators Wednesday adopted a first-in-the-nation mandate to reduce electricity demand.”
Let’s see …we want consumers to reduce electricity use, so rather than raising the price of electricity (an output standard possible using taxes or permits) we rely on a direct method of regulation. Kudos to people who can predict the unintended consequences of this program.
Why would we ever want to leave it up to consumers to choose ways to economize that are most in their interest. How will this law change the electricity use of people that do not use televisions for example? And what if I really like my inefficient TV for some reason, but would prefer not heat my hot water up as much?
Hmmm … and I loved this part of it: “TVs larger than 58 inches, which account for no more than 3 percent of the market, would not be covered by the rule, a concession to independent retailers that sell high-end home-theater TVs. The commission is expected to regulate them in the future.” I am sure no corporate interest had a say in carving out this exception.
Environmental groups are happy. The governor is happy. And all of this will save people money! Yep, and I have a new car to sell you too. Watch your wallet, and look out for what producers will be made better off by this program.
By the way, if my TV was more energy efficient, I would leave it on when I left the house, just so that when I came home I would not have to wait those 5 extra seconds for it to start up … I might miss another play in the football game if I did it.
I guess if you look at the Constitution this would fall under the “General Welfare” clause? What happens when this program does not work out and does not improve the general welfare? Who gets sued for the subsequent unconstitutionality of this law? Because if you don’t use the general welfare clause, I am having a hard time seeing where else in the Constitution (the state one) where it says, “the legislature shall insure that televisions are more energy efficient.” But you might argue that this is a state issue and not a federal issue. Aha, if you take the Supreme Court’s lead on what the commerce clause is intended to do – anything that happens within a state that can possibly affect market prices elsewhere DO fall under the umbrella of the federal constitution. Try this on for size.
But I suspect that the benevolent Feds are not going to strike down this law as unconstitutional.Please wake me up when this nightmare is over. Here are similar ways to deal with analogous problems:
- We want to reduce the use of gasoline – mandate fuel economy standards in cars rather than forcing the price of gas to increase
- We want to reduce the emissions of noxious chemicals in power plants – mandate coal scrubbers be installed on every power plant rather than pricing emissions (we at least fixed this partly)
- We want to reduce carbon dioxide emissions – mandate that people’s respiratory systems get more efficient
- We want to reduce baseball attendance – put a maximum size on stadiums rather than allowing ticket prices to rise
- We want to reduce water consumption during a drought – have the water police enforce a no car washing standard rather than have the price of water rise
What can I do to reduce the incidence of stupid laws passing? Any ideas?
948958 274646You produced some decent points there. I looked online towards the concern and discovered a lot of people is going in addition to using your website. 52964
110895 128125This internet site is generally a walk-through you discover the details it suited you about this and didnt know who need to have to. Glimpse here, and you will undoubtedly discover it. 768886
779469 723976Satisfying posting. It would appear that plenty of the stages are depending upon the originality aspect. Its a funny thing about life in case you refuse to accept anything but the most effective, you quite often get it. by W. Somerset Maugham.. 310452
218811 105994Glad to be 1 of a lot of visitors on this awing internet site : D. 386020
351208 406900Wow, fantastic weblog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look straightforward. The overall appear of your web web site is great, let alone the content! 604062
581493 142301Superb editorial! Would like took pleasure the certain following. Im hoping to learn to read a great deal much more of you. Theres no doubt which you possess tremendous awareness and even imagination. I happen to be very highly fascinated employing this critical info. 352624
202025 15381Thank you a good deal for giving every person an extraordinarily unique possiblity to check guidelines from here. 183193
496496 891622I dugg some of you post as I thought they were handy extremely valuable 825504
Great article, exactly what I needed.
Pretty portion of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to say that I get in fact loved account
your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing on your augment or even I fulfillment
you get entry to consistently rapidly.
Really when someone doesn’t know after that its up to other viewers that they will help, so here it
happens.
Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested
to see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so
she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and
she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but
I had to share it with someone!
85726 568404Lastly, got what I was searching for!! Ive genuinely enjoying every small bit of this. Ecstatic I stumbled into this post! and also Ive bookmarked to appear at unique info for your weblog post. 199861
437456 294042Hello. impressive job. I did not expect this. This is a great story. Thanks! You made certain fine points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found the majority of folks will have exactly the same opinion with your blog. 337953
453591 318168The subsequent time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I know it was my option to read, but I truly thought youd have something attention-grabbing to say. All I hear can be a bunch of whining about something that you possibly can repair need to you werent too busy on the lookout for attention. 672393
637465 458283Bereken zelf uw hypotheek. Hypotheek berekenen? Maak snel een indicatieve berekening van het maximale leenbedrag van uw hypotheek. 124073
654079 590970Making use of writers exercises such as chunking. They use many websites that contain several creative writing exercises. Writers read an exercise, and do it. 396648
Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to
see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views.
I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
852997 325159Soon after study a few of the content within your web site now, we genuinely such as your technique of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web internet site list and will also be checking back soon. Pls take a look at my web-site likewise and make me aware what you believe. 834491