Big Brother, yes; Big screens, no.

Rasmussen:

California is expected to implement energy-conserving regulations any day now that manufacturers and retailers say will in effect ban the sale of big-screen TVs in the state. Other states are likely to follow the Golden State’s “green” initiative in the months ahead.

But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of Americans oppose a law that would effectively ban the sale of big-screen televisions to save energy. Sixteen percent (16%) favor the idea, and 18% are not sure.

Most adults (53%) say being able to buy whatever kind of TV they want is more important than conserving energy. However, 37% rate conserving energy as more important.

Still, 54% are willing to pay more for a television that is more energy-efficient. Thirty percent (30%) are not, and 16% aren’t sure.

Guess what, guys -- there's a gender gap here:

Women are more sympathetic than men to energy conservation efforts at the expense of big TVs, but they’re less willing to pay more for a television that is more energy-efficient.

They liked Al Gore, John Kerry, and Barack Obama, too.

The reasons given were mostly about feelings, nothing more than feelings:

• Better equipped to deal with the nation's economic ills; [hah!]
  
• Projected empathy for women's financial struggles;
• Understood how hard it can be to keep a job today while caring for families;
• Understood that women are more economically vulnerable than men;
• Offered hope while acknowledging women's struggles.
• Aware of the need for pay equity and work/life balanced policies.
• In touch with the need for expanded health insurance for children.

Put-on empathy can't cure what ails us. What was it that John Derbyshire said about women's suffrage?

Just kidding. He's for equal voting rights, as am I. But I'm also for encouraging liberal women to engage the brains God gave them and quit falling for anyone who projects "empathy" and validates their victimhood. Have some self-respect next time, please. Declare your emancipation from big government.

Cross-posted in the Green Room.

Linked at Michelle Malkin (buzzworthy)

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