Tax Policy as Protectionism; the Deliberate Interference with Our Right to Evaluate
The Scotsman: Greens see red after EU keeps duty on light bulbs
THE European Commission is under fire from green campaigners and retailers for plans to extend duties on energy-efficient light bulbs from China.The Chinese light bulbs have been subject to import duties since 2001, because the commission says the products are sold in EU markets for less than their true value.
Yesterday, EU commissioners met in Brussels and agreed to keep tariffs of 66 per cent in place, despite calls from green campaigners to bring down the price of energy-efficient light bulbs to encourage consumers to make greener choices.
[...]
Around 270 million energy-efficient bulbs are sold each year, compared with two billion ordinary (incandescent) lightbulbs. Energy-efficient bulbs are three to six times more expensive than ordinary ones, although they last five times longer.
Both Philips and General Electric, two electronics giants, wanted restrictions lifted. They argue that Europe needs cheap energy-efficient bulbs from China to meet growing demand. However, Osram, a German company, opposes ending the duties.
©2007 Scotsman.com
The superficial outrage is that the über-state in Europe is forcing consumers to pay more for foreign products in order to please domestic producers.
The real outrage is that these people are so arrogant as to assume to know what the true value is of any given thing for you and I. Stop and think about that.
Then tell me how it materially differs from classic socialism.