Back to Basics

With temperatures soaring quicker than Obama’s disapproval ratings, why is it that the Marxist trio of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid have failed to provide all of us the people with a basic human right and one specifically guaranteed, in plain English, in our hallowed Constitution?

That would be the right to universal air conditioning, an absolute must for anyone pursuing happiness during the months of May through mid-October, give or take a month or so depending on location.

Universal air conditioning might cost a few trillion dollars to begin with, but the benefits would be overwhelmingly positive.

For example, health care costs would drop quicker than Congressional approval ratings as millions of people who would normally suffer heat strokes, heart attacks and other deadly health conditions in 90-110 degree ovens would remain cool and safe in homes protected by government-funded universal AC.

Furthermore, when the unwashed masses are hot and humid for long periods, the result is a spike in fights, riots, domestic violence and other social unrest which strains law enforcement and endangers law-abiding citizenry.
“Heat Rage”

The cost of dealing with “heat rage” must be in the hundreds of billions, especially in areas where the low-income and disadvantaged are forced to live.

People exposed to unbearable heat and humidity also tend to consume copious amounts of beer, ice cream, and other high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods, which cause obesity which in turn leads to heart disease and diabetes.

Everyone is aware of the democrats’ bill to take over health care, but there has been little attention given to another government take over – Cap & Trade.

I read some of this massive bill and found hundreds of pages dedicated to dictating what types of light bulbs will be available for use.  Naturally, certain areas would be exempt from these mandates, including Las Vegas and California – I wonder who represents those states!  Not quite understanding what all the fuss was over light bulbs I started speaking with others and was amazed at what I learned.

The new energy efficient light bulbs (CFL’s) contain mercury, which makes them hazardous waste.  Along with this comes special handling when replacing bulbs, disposing of bulbs and if a bulb breaks.  If you do not have recycling options for CFL’s then you will have to seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put them in the outside trash.  I spoke with someone who works for an electric company and he told me that the bulbs cost about $15 each to dispose of.

Beware if you break one of these bulbs, because of the mercury the EPA has issued recommendations for cleanup and disposal.  These recommendations include opening windows, shutting of central heat or air and leaving the room for 15 minutes or more.  All broken pieces need to be scooped up using cardboard and placed in a glass container with a metal lid or sealed plastic bag.  Then use duct tape to pick up any remaining pieces.  If the breakage was on carpet you can vacuum after following the instructions above and then you must remove the vacuum bag and put that in a sealed plastic bag.  If clothing or bedding is affected, they recommend throwing it away because washing the clothing or bedding may contaminate your washing machine and pollute sewage.  This is all because of the mercury in the bulbs.  They also recommend the next several times you vacuum that you shut off the heating or air conditioning and open a window before vacuuming and keep it off for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is complete.

So the bill to “help” the environment and reduce greenhouse gases would mandate that we use hazardous light bulbs that obviously pose a health risk, a contamination problem and a possible pollution problem.

I also discovered the bill will permit government officials to enter your home and evaluate and rate how energy efficient your home is.  The bill requires new buildings to be more energy efficient by 30% by 2012 and 50% more efficient by 2016.  For new construction these new energy guidelines can be included, at an increase cost to the home.  So while the housing industry is already in trouble the government is going to “help” by putting more mandates and controls on the industry.

But, we cannot forget about all the buildings, commercial and housing, already in existence.  They will also have to meet these new standards; otherwise you may not be able to sell your home.  Under these new requirements, a government auditor will be allowed to enter your home and inspect your windows, appliances, air conditioning, furnace and anything else to make sure your house meets these new national building codes.  Not only can they inspect it, but they will be able to mandate that you provide the necessary remedies within a specified amount of time regardless of the cost.  They are going to make funding available to help retrofit these homes in the form of loans, but this funding cannot exceed 50% of the actual costs incurred.