Earlier entries in this series: I and II.

Had you ever realized we used to have a freedom to buy whatever light bulbs we wanted and toilets that could flush effectively on the first try? Since we weren’t vigilant, those unrecognized freedoms were taken from us.

Following is a snippet from Sen. Rand Paul’s comments at a recent hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee:

This is what your energy efficiency standards are. Call it what it is. You prevent people from making things that consumers want. I find it really appalling and hypocritical and think there should be some self-examination from the administration on the idea that you favor a woman?s right to an abortion, but you don?t favor a woman or a man?s right to choose what kind of light-bulb, what kind of dishwasher, what kind of washing machine. I really find it troubling ? this busy-body nature that you want to come into my house, my bathroom, my bedroom, my kitchen, my laundry room. I just really find it insulting and I find that all of the arguments for energy efficiency ? you?re exactly right we should conserve energy, but why not do it in a voluntary way? Why do it where you threaten to fine me or put me in jail if I don?t accept your opinion? In America we believe in trying to convince our neighbors, but not trying to convince them through the force of law. I find this antithetical to the American way.

Sen. Paul understands. There are so many freedoms we don’t even realize we have, which is why the Founders in their wisdom constructed the Ninth and Tenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.