March 9, 2012 9:21AM 

# You Keep Using the Word ‘Affordable.’ I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means. 

By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) 

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The federal government gave a $10 million “affordability” prize to a giant corporation for manufacturing a $50 lightbulb. The *[Washington Post](http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/government-subsidized-green-light-bulb-carries-costly-price-tag/2012/03/07/gIQAFxOD0R_story.html)*:

> The U.S. government last year announced a $10 million award…for any manufacturer that could create a “green” but affordable light bulb.
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> Energy Secretary Steven Chu said the prize would spur industry to offer the costly bulbs…at prices “affordable for American families.”…
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> Now the winning bulb is on the market.
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> The price is $50.
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> Retailers said the bulb, made by Philips, is likely to be too pricey to have broad appeal. Similar LED bulbs are less than half the cost.

This is the same federal government that refers to [ObamaCare](https://www.cato.org/bad-medicine/), which costs [more than $6 *trillion*](https://www.cato.org/obamacares-cost-could-top-6-trillion/), as the “Affordable Care Act.”

##### Related Tags 

[Energy and Environment](https://www.cato.org/research/energy-environment), [General](https://www.cato.org/general), [Government and Politics](https://www.cato.org/government-politics), [Health Care](https://www.cato.org/health-care), [Regulation](https://www.cato.org/regulatory-studies) 

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