I just finished reading the editorial on fluorescent vs. incandescent bulbs. (Feb. 12). The fluorescents are showing many signs of replacing incandescents in the marketplace without government intervention, stated the editorial.

Although incandescent light bulbs have served American society admirably for more than 100 years, Sen. Ethan Strimling of Portland is sponsoring a bill to ban their use in Maine by the year 2010. Doesn’t Strimling know that his form of liberalism always generates the direct opposite of its intent?

The Sun Journal and Strimling might consider consorting on enlightening (pun intended) the public on what to do when one of these magical fluorescent bulbs happens to break accidentally. The process is scary, messy, and could be life-threatening. Break an incandescent and it’s “be careful not to cut yourself.”

Break a compact fluorescent and it’s “how long can you hold your breath?” Unlike incandescents, they contain the M-word: Mercury. We all know what excessive amounts of that element will do to humans.

Strimling and the rest of government should stay out of the process, but if that can’t happen, they should at least inform the public of the downsides to their lemming-like approach to solving a non-problem.

Buy compact fluorescents because you might save a few bucks? Have at it.

Buy them because it will help save the planet? Hogwash.

Paul St. Jean, Lewiston