What once was a bright idea, is fading to black. At the end of last year, U.S. manufacturers ceased making 100-watt incandescent bulbs. At the end of this year, they will cease making 75-watt incandescent bulbs. 60 and 40-watt bulbs are set to follow.

As these bulbs are phased out for not meeting new government standards, some more expensive bulbs are taking their place.

A look at the regulations issued for a wide variety of products that fall under the Department of Energy’s conservation standards is quite shocking.

It almost reminds me of a horror movie, where unwanted visitors are in your home, controlling your actions and choices. It could be called ‘Regulated Activity’.