Still In The Dark On Jobs

The reversal on the light bulb ban that I reported on was possibly a hallow victory.

Congress - let's get it right - the GOP-led House - included a compromise provision in the 1200-page spending bill that prohibits the Obama administration from enforcing the current ban passed in 2007 until September, 2012. All they did was allow bulbs to be sold for nine more months. This does not create one more manufacturing job in this country.

There are a couple (not really sure how many) of smaller companies that still manufacture bulbs in the US. GE manufactures some bulbs in Mexico after closing their US plant.

The House had passed a complete repeal of the ban earlier in the year, but Harry Reid's Senate would have no part of it.

So here we are with a partial victory. We get to keep using our incandescent bulbs - when we can find places to buy them - but we don't get any new jobs because this stay of execution can expire in nine months - leaving us where we were going to be in a couple of weeks.

 

 

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website or go to my other blog "Steve Hoffacker's Home Sales Insights" for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. Listen to my free podcast messages at "Steve Hoffacker's Happenings."

Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer, Author of Sales Books, Commercial Real Estate Broker, Marketing Consultant, Sales Coach, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Podcaster, and Teacher. - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.

© Steve Hoffacker, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

18 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer • December 17 2011 09:27AM

Not A Very Bright Idea

Somewhere along the line, some people began to think that the incandescent lightbulb that Edison had invented had run its course and served its purpose - that it was a detriment to our lifestyle and living environment.

First came the fluorescent tubes that are used in so many office and industrial buildings (and kitchens, garages, and closets), then the florescent ring for closet and bath fixtures, and then the CFL. The CFL has been a major disappointment, Aside from its unattractiveness and size (often sticking out over the top of the globe), there is a warmup time until it gets to full brightness, there are several different colors of light, and most of all they wear out quickly. I have never had one last more than about 8 or 9 months - usually less than 6 months. They weren't designed to wear out this quickly so not a lot of thought was given to disposing of them. Now millions of them lie in landfills with their mercury and whatever else is in them.

Recently the manufacture of incandescent bulbs was halted in this country. No more 100-watt bulbs can be purchased starting next year, and by 2014, they'll all be gone. GE has closed the last incandescent bul manufacturing plant in the US - allowing the Chinese to acquire one more product from America.

Three Republicans in the House (Joe Barton, Marsha Blackburn, and Michael Burgess) introduced a bill in the last session to repeal the incandescent ban. We see if it gains anymore support this time.

CFLs are expensive to produce and they don't do what they are supposed to do - and they can only be manufactured inexpensively in China. Therefore they are being replaced by the LED - a very, very expensive alternative that is supposed to last so much longer. They are becoming available in more sizes and shapes and can be used with a dimmer. The light is a very white one.

LEDs may be the answer, but CFLS aren't and haven't been. Last August IKEA began phasing out the incandescent bulbs and now longer stocks them. They have bought into the CFL myth.

Until LEDs are commercially manufactured for just a few bucks a bulb instead of several times that now, keep the incandescent bulbs for home use anyway - and bring back jobs to America.

 

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com, or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. Listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.

© Steve Hoffacker, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

16 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer • January 04 2011 04:02PM