I so miss my mother, Phyllis Schlafly, who passed away six years ago. I think about how she would respond to our crazy world when government put healthy able-bodied Americans under house arrest, closed churches, and mandated that people could not direct their own healthcare. Phyllis Schlafly believed in the power of the individual and I am grateful for her guidance that taught me how to be a free-thinking, freedom-loving individual.

One issue that really provoked her ire was when government tried to tell her what kind of light bulb she was allowed to use. Her articles in favor of the incandescent bulb were some of her most popular pieces. She rallied America to save Edison's invention from the scrapheap of history — and it worked. 

Unfortunately, the Biden Administration just reversed the freedom to choose light bulbs and announced last month that incandescent light bulbs will be illegal to sell after July 2023.

Today, 30 percent of the light bulb market is incandescent bulbs. No retailer wants to anger or lose 30 percent of the market. Yet, the Biden Administration is forcing Americans into only using the government-approved light bulbs. Why should Americans allow this diktat?

Government is not interested in protecting your liberties or personal choice; government is interested in controlling every aspect of your life, especially what kind of energy you use and how and when you use energy. Light bulbs are a metaphor for great ideas; now the light bulb is a symbol of irrational edicts from bureaucrats.

Today, I honor my mother for her extraordinary strength and intellect. But I also am grateful that because of her foresight and advocacy, I have a large supply of 100-watt incandescent light bulbs in my basement. My home will continue to be illuminated by this warm glow for many years.