Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is pushing the Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act, a bill that would repeal a phaseout of incandescent light bulbs in favor of more energy efficient fluorescent bulbs. The phaseout was part of the last energy bill passed by Congress and signed by President Bush.

Her bill and public statements in support of the bill have generated a healthy amount of blog discussion. At the Sherburne County Republican Convention, Bachmann said: “By 2012, incandescent light bulbs will be no more. Fluorescent bulbs are more polluting because of their mercury content. We are working on the light bulb bill. If the Democrats can hose up a light bulb don’t trust them with the country.” 

She also told the Star Tribune: “I was just outraged that Congress would want to substitute its judgment for the judgment of the American people. It struck me as a massive Big Brother intrusion into our homes and our lives.”

After the jump, read reactions from Bachmann supporters and detractors.

Continued: Click “Read more”Zach at MNPublius wrote:

Apparently, Bachmann is fine with Big Brother poking his head into the bedrooms of gay people, but he better stay away from their light fixtures. Put it another way, Bachmann thinks that homosexuals have a right to incandescent light bulbs, but don’t have a right to be free from discrimination in the workplace.

Andy Aplikowski of Residual Forces wrote:

In case you didn’t know, the recent energy bill has put the incandescent light bulb on the endangered species list and will ban the sale of them altogether in the very near future. Bachmann opposed the social engineering Energy bill which actually created no new energy and, in fact, was designed to make it harder and more expensive to get reliable and abundant energy…. Unfortunately she is the only person who represents me in Washington DC who has a clue on how to lower energy prices and the courage to stand up to the environmental special interests.

Dave Mindeman of mnpACT:

The incandescent light bulb has its champion. … and her name is Michele Bachmann. With a Bible in one hand and an autographed picture of Sen. James Inhofe in the other, Rep. Bachmann will fight for your right to increased wattage. With God on her side, (as she always is), and the oil lobby cheering her on, Michele Bachmann will carry, and fight for, this important, right affirming, legislation through the hallowed halls of Congress run by those godless Democrats.