The Price Of "Green" Has Just Gone Up.

I don't think it's big news that I'm in favor of green technology. I'm a person who understands that evolution is an accurate and proven science. Global warming is happening and human energy sources are part of that problem. The world is not flat, it is in fact a globe, round. I'm in favor of ending subsidies for the oil industry. The subsidies began when oil was a fledgling industry. They were meant to help it become a strong stable resource. I think we can say without dissent that that has come to pass. I'm also in favor of now giving similar support to alternative energy and green technology. Why would anyone disagree with that thinking? Having said that, I must say that the government's awarding of a $10 million grant for any company that could develop an affordable (that's AFFORDABLE) "green" light bulb seemed promising. Oh and it was to be at least somewhat "made in America", too. Well, the votes are in, the prize has been awarded. Philips, the light bulb people have been awarded the $10 million prize. And now the bulb is actually on the market. It's an LED bulb, so there's no question that it's green. It apparently meets the MIA requirement. And now, a drum roll please, the price is $50 each. That's right. This "affordable", "green" light bulb is $50 a piece. Now if you're one of the one percenters, $50 might be considered inexpensive, but if you're one of the 99 percenters, you're gonna think the government was a bit premature in it's awarding Philips this prize. Come on, $50. For a light bulb? And you consider it cheap? Okay, not cheap, affordable? Really? $50? Cheap? Well I guess you have to consider that it is Washington that gave the award. In Washington, you can't expect anything to be that cheap. Hey, you can't even buy a legislator for $50. But haven't these folks ever been in a store where they sell light bulbs? Even LED bulbs currently on the market only sell for about half that. What is it? Is it because it has to be made in America? That doesn't make sense if American workers are so much more efficient and do a better job then foreign workers. Well, I happen to believe that, so the answer must be that Philips wants to make a killing on this thing. Maybe they want to cover all their costs of development in the first couple dozen bulbs. I hope so, because at that price, they're not gonna sell too many more than that. I think maybe everybody forgot that the prize was supposed to be for "inexpensive" or maybe they just forgot the "in".