[Engineer_Soldier]

So. In addition to dictating what kind of toilets we can have in our homes, and what kind of light bulbs we can use, the government bans burning wood in your own fireplace.

I understand your sentiments, but don't confuse local with federal mandates. It's wrong and unconstitutional for the federal government to pass these laws, including Clinton's toilet ban and Bush's light-bulb ban. But these people are reacting to a local ordinance that they can control by either moving their tax dollars away to a different area or state or by electing people with views more like their own. The fault lies completely with the people in the Bay area and those in the Republic of Kalifornia for not changing their state's constitution to prohibit their government from enacting these silly laws.

[La Lydia]

Your point is well taken, although I suspect the local ordinance was enacted to comply with the federal Clean Air Act. El Paso, Texas has about 750,000 people, across the river in Juarez live another 1.5 million. El Paso has to comply with the clean air regs, although it has no control over what goes on across the river. El Paso is consistently in noncompliance for failing to meet the national ambient air quality standard Government again.

[Finny]

Excellent point, ES.