CFLs take longer to come on, don't reach full brightness immediately, are less efficient, don't last as long, and contain mercury.

I don't know what your personal statement about using CFLs for 20 years has to do with my fear about the cause of efficient lighting being hurt. Your own preferences don't necessarily reflect those of people in general.

> CFLs take longer to come on

I have both. That isn't true. I have some LEDs that take longer, some CFL's that take longer, and some (of both) that are effectively instant.

> don't reach full brightness immediately

Also not true. It used to be that way, and perhaps some poorly designed ones. But there is no reason to buy any that are not instant.

> are less efficient

Again, not true - make sure to compare bulbs with equivalent CRI.

> don't last as long, and contain mercury.

This is true, and irrelevant. Also, LEDs cost more, and I'm not (yet) convinced the hour ratings are actually accurate.

> I don't know what your personal statement about using CFLs for 20 years has to do with my fear about the cause of efficient lighting being hurt.

Your fear is unwarranted. CFLs work perfectly fine, and I know that because I've been using them for a long time.

I don't know what to say, besides that your statements run contrary to my experience where they conflict, and I don't understand why you think it's irrelevant that CFLs die quicker and are more poisonous.

A whole lot of people experienced CFLs and came away with the conclusion that they suck. I fear that they will assume LEDs also suck.

> I don't know what to say, besides that your statements run contrary to my experience where they conflict

Did you buy CFLs recently or only more than 10 years ago? What brand? I've had excellent results with GE and GreatValue. Mixed results with Feit.

> and I don't understand why you think it's irrelevant that CFLs die quicker

Because I don't (yet) trust LEDs to live as long as they say. So that advantage doesn't exist as far as I'm concerned.

> and are more poisonous

Because it makes no difference in actual use. You can toss them in the trash if you want, or take them to Lowes/Homedepot to recycle. The amount of mercury is too small to hurt anyone if they break.

They also flash when connected to "glow in the dark" light switches, which was really annoying in my previous house.

LEDs in that type of wiring simply glow dimly. I suppose that's better in a way :)

You really need a neutral wire in the light switch box, and attach to that for the glow in the dark switch.

I ripped out the godawful CFLs in my kitchen that took 3 minutes to get up to full brightness in the winter.

LEDs are where it's at.