Today Rand Paul let loose at the deputy assistant energy secretary for efficiency. He advised Kathleen Hogan:
I think there should be some self-examination from the administration on the idea that you favor a woman’s right to an abortion, but you don’t favor a woman or a man’s right to choose what kind of light bulb, what kind of dishwasher, what kind of washing machine.
Toilets are a big source of his anger at bureaucratic “busybodies.” The freshman senator goes on to admit: “I have been waiting for 20 years to talk about how bad these toilets are.”
Tea party or no tea party, I suspect he spoke for many.
My hero!!! As I was plunging the stupid downstairs toilet last night--for the THIRD time this week, I was cursing those moronic busybodies in Congress who obviously know NOTHING about plumbing and the elimination of human waste. I am seriously considering looking for black market toilets that will actually flush more than a flea's poop. If I were Queen for five minutes, that toilet rule would be the first thing to go.
Showerheads which produce an actual stream of water you can buy on the internet, but try ordering a real toilet online. "Mr. President, stay out of my bathroom!"
Look, I've been using fluorescent bulbs in lamps since before Reagan was elected (the old circle lights), and I drive a Prius, but it's absurd to tell me what I *must* buy simply because some federal goons think the product is better.
Reminds me of one of the best lines ever from King of the Hill, when Hank and family were forced to switch to a low-flow toilet. Hank is testifying at a hearing: "Unfortunately in the real world, where things don't flush like they do in the movies, it can take three, four, or, in the case of my wife, Peggy Hill, six flushes to completely remove solid waste."
I think Rand Paul is kind of nutty, but I am glad we have some nutty people in Washington that will bring this stuff up. You don't hear Jim DeMint talking toilets on The Hill.
These common sense, basic human need type issues can appeal way past party lines. I know a LOT of Democrats that wish their toilet was more than 1.6 GPF. I know at least a few Democrats who have removed the regulators from their shower heads.
I own quite a few CFLs... in applications where I need a lot of lumens, leave the lights on for long periods of time, and don't care about the quality of the light or having control over dimming. I own them because I want to, and my own CBA says I'll get an ROI on them. Everywhere else in my home, I still burn lanterns that are fueled by baby seal blubber.
One of the tenets of modern liberalism, is that people who aren't liberal are just too stupid to run their own lives. Since they won't make the same decisions as liberals, then govt will just have to make those decisions for them.
You and your fellow members of the Legislative Branch are the ones who authorized this action (granted, earlier members), are responsible for containing, controlling and monitoring these agencies. You, now pay attention, can pass legislation that repeals, replaces, recall or modifies this Agencies authority. The Bureaucracy is the 5th branch of government but it is not independent and cannot be allowed to operate independently any longer.
The bureaucracy is like nuclear reactions. Contained, controlled and tightly monitored, they can produce a lot of good but let them run wild and they endanger the People. The bureaucracy has been let run wild far to long. Sometime in the Twenties or Thirties, the Bureaucracy became self-aware and,with complicity of Presidents and Congress ever since, decided they knew best for the People. They will save the People from those messy freedoms that often do not result in optimal choices to create a utopia.
Look, this Congress didn't create bureaucracy nor unleash it on the unsuspecting Congress. But it fall to this Congress to bring this monster to heel and return it to it corral where it can again be broken and placed into service under experienced drovers.
So less talk, more action. Oh, and when the thought "there ought to be a law" pops in your head, just let it go.
Any social conservatives here? Not necessarily the hard-core kind; sorta socially conservative will do nicely.
It's my impression that life is not all about getting what I want. Sometimes I get it, sometimes not. I can try. Can't always win.
So, if something prevents me from getting what I want, that may not be a big issue. Depends. I won't be outraged if I don't get the "dishwasher" I want. But then, as my handle says, nowadays I'm never outraged.
What the h*** is a "deputy assistant energy secretary for efficiency"?! And why do we have one?!
Hogan just gets back in her taxpayer funded limo, drives back to the EPA and goes about business as usual. They know at the end of the day they're not going to have people storming their offices screaming and banging drums. I love what Sen. Paul said, and the toilets have done wonders for the plunger business, but it is basically meaningless.
I'm starting to like Rand Paul, if for no other reason than he's sometimes impolite company. But this can't all be laid at Obama's feet - this drive of government oversight and regulation of every aspect of our life has been going on for decades. (Did I just defend the Obama administration? Lord, please forgive me!)
I'm not sure what he's referring to about limited choices in washing machines and refrigerators. We just bought both recently, and there are enough choices available to scramble the brain. With this feature, without that feature, this setting, that setting. I'm now a washing machine expert - ask me anything.
It's lightbulbs that get my dander up. I WILL NOT put CFL's in my house. I'm stocking up on 130V incandescent bulbs, and right now have about a 5 year supply. CFL's not only don't last as long as my 130V bulbs, they introduce a very dangerous chemical (mercury) to my family.
@beas: In case you were sleeping in 3rd Grade geography, approximately 70% of the surface of the earth is covered with water. The earth is also a closed-loop system. If it weren't, all the water would have evaporated billions of years ago.
I'll take my chances that brand of toilet is not a major factor contributing to "running out of water". If you meant "drinking water", when a glass of water costs more than $0.000002 give us a ring.
My hero!!! As I was plunging the stupid downstairs toilet last night--for the THIRD time this week, I was cursing those moronic busybodies in Congress who obviously know NOTHING about plumbing and the elimination of human waste. I am seriously considering looking for black market toilets that will actually flush more than a flea's poop. If I were Queen for five minutes, that toilet rule would be the first thing to go.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBest, and most appropriate, discussion at a Senate comittee meeting ever!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseShowerheads which produce an actual stream of water you can buy on the internet, but try ordering a real toilet online. "Mr. President, stay out of my bathroom!"
Look, I've been using fluorescent bulbs in lamps since before Reagan was elected (the old circle lights), and I drive a Prius, but it's absurd to tell me what I *must* buy simply because some federal goons think the product is better.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseReminds me of one of the best lines ever from King of the Hill, when Hank and family were forced to switch to a low-flow toilet. Hank is testifying at a hearing: "Unfortunately in the real world, where things don't flush like they do in the movies, it can take three, four, or, in the case of my wife, Peggy Hill, six flushes to completely remove solid waste."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI think Rand Paul is kind of nutty, but I am glad we have some nutty people in Washington that will bring this stuff up. You don't hear Jim DeMint talking toilets on The Hill.
These common sense, basic human need type issues can appeal way past party lines. I know a LOT of Democrats that wish their toilet was more than 1.6 GPF. I know at least a few Democrats who have removed the regulators from their shower heads.
I own quite a few CFLs... in applications where I need a lot of lumens, leave the lights on for long periods of time, and don't care about the quality of the light or having control over dimming. I own them because I want to, and my own CBA says I'll get an ROI on them. Everywhere else in my home, I still burn lanterns that are fueled by baby seal blubber.
My toilet, my choice! I wish...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRand Paul '12!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOne of the tenets of modern liberalism, is that people who aren't liberal are just too stupid to run their own lives. Since they won't make the same decisions as liberals, then govt will just have to make those decisions for them.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse20 years is a HECK of a long time to wait for a toilet.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLess talk and a lot more action, Senator.
You and your fellow members of the Legislative Branch are the ones who authorized this action (granted, earlier members), are responsible for containing, controlling and monitoring these agencies. You, now pay attention, can pass legislation that repeals, replaces, recall or modifies this Agencies authority. The Bureaucracy is the 5th branch of government but it is not independent and cannot be allowed to operate independently any longer.
The bureaucracy is like nuclear reactions. Contained, controlled and tightly monitored, they can produce a lot of good but let them run wild and they endanger the People. The bureaucracy has been let run wild far to long. Sometime in the Twenties or Thirties, the Bureaucracy became self-aware and,with complicity of Presidents and Congress ever since, decided they knew best for the People. They will save the People from those messy freedoms that often do not result in optimal choices to create a utopia.
Look, this Congress didn't create bureaucracy nor unleash it on the unsuspecting Congress. But it fall to this Congress to bring this monster to heel and return it to it corral where it can again be broken and placed into service under experienced drovers.
So less talk, more action. Oh, and when the thought "there ought to be a law" pops in your head, just let it go.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes, BUT...
Any social conservatives here? Not necessarily the hard-core kind; sorta socially conservative will do nicely.
It's my impression that life is not all about getting what I want. Sometimes I get it, sometimes not. I can try. Can't always win.
So, if something prevents me from getting what I want, that may not be a big issue. Depends. I won't be outraged if I don't get the "dishwasher" I want. But then, as my handle says, nowadays I'm never outraged.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHooray! Commonsense making a statement...rare in D.C.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat the h*** is a "deputy assistant energy secretary for efficiency"?! And why do we have one?!
Hogan just gets back in her taxpayer funded limo, drives back to the EPA and goes about business as usual. They know at the end of the day they're not going to have people storming their offices screaming and banging drums. I love what Sen. Paul said, and the toilets have done wonders for the plunger business, but it is basically meaningless.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhile he's at it, can he get the phosphates back in our dish washing soap so we can clean and have "virtually-spotless" glasses and dishes again???
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTo those more familiar with Rand Paul:
Why would he chose this context to bait an abortion argument?
This seems like an odd analogy, I'm willing to bet that this leads to editorials questioning how this analogy works in the reverse.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMultiple flushes to save water, anyone? Only the government can require a toilet that is the OTB of thrones.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDo you guys not realize that water is something we can run out of? Rand Paul's just scoring political points.
Let's be conservatives, please.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm starting to like Rand Paul, if for no other reason than he's sometimes impolite company. But this can't all be laid at Obama's feet - this drive of government oversight and regulation of every aspect of our life has been going on for decades. (Did I just defend the Obama administration? Lord, please forgive me!)
I'm not sure what he's referring to about limited choices in washing machines and refrigerators. We just bought both recently, and there are enough choices available to scramble the brain. With this feature, without that feature, this setting, that setting. I'm now a washing machine expert - ask me anything.
It's lightbulbs that get my dander up. I WILL NOT put CFL's in my house. I'm stocking up on 130V incandescent bulbs, and right now have about a 5 year supply. CFL's not only don't last as long as my 130V bulbs, they introduce a very dangerous chemical (mercury) to my family.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"To those more familiar with Rand Paul:
Why would he chose this context to bait an abortion argument?"
He was just pointing out that Democrats are pro choice on the abortion issue but anti choice on everything else.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse@beas: In case you were sleeping in 3rd Grade geography, approximately 70% of the surface of the earth is covered with water. The earth is also a closed-loop system. If it weren't, all the water would have evaporated billions of years ago.
I'll take my chances that brand of toilet is not a major factor contributing to "running out of water". If you meant "drinking water", when a glass of water costs more than $0.000002 give us a ring.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusehokkoda:
So glad you're doing your part to lower your county water bills. Great lessons for your children. In my household actions have consequences.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse