I think the reason they're forcing a certain wattage is because people put higher watt bulbs in than the fixture is made for, which is a fire hazard.

You can also set the room up so that a wall switch controls multiple fixtures in the room. I'd make it dimmable.

"Catastrophe"?
I thought I was going to read that it had fallen on your head! Now THAT would be a catastrophe! But I can understand your frustration.

Read this story about the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Not a hopeful situation.

The problem is that ceiling fans with lights were created to provide ambient lighting, not main lighting.

Before I updated my ceiling fans, the one in my DR was an old-fashioned-looking one with somewhere between 4-6 chandelier bulbs. The fan had the tulip-shaped glass bulb covers that pointed down. Have you looked into whether a fan like this--with multiple bulbs pointing DOWN--would give you enough light?

Also, have you been to other lighting shops in your area, or maybe a specialty ceiling fan shop? (Which are getting rare; one in my D.C. area shut recently, and now Expo Design Center is closed, too, and that store used to have a lot of ceiling fans up and running so you could judge the lighting and fan noise. Alas...)

And although this would be a time-consuming effort, you should try calling major fan makers (Hunter-Douglas, Casablanca, Modern Fan Company, etc) and tell customer service about your problem finding a fan with good-enough lighting. They should be able to get a product specialist to figure out what could work.

Here is a link that might be useful: energy policy act

Oh, I forgot to add!

I now have Minka Aire "Concept" ceiling fans in my DR and my MBR.

Both have center lights (tho there's a cover in case one didn't want to use the light), and when I've put it on at night to read a newspaper or do whatever, it's given me plenty of light. It's definitely brighter than the 60- or so-watt single bulb in a small accent light near the bed, which I sometimes use instead when I'm reading (but when I'm doing it, I lay across the bed and my head is within 3 feet of the lamp. and also, the table that lamp is on is slightly higher than the bed, so more light shines down on me).

The ceiling fan calls for one 100-watt mini-can halogen bulb.

It's been awhile since I changed out the ceiling fans, so I don't remember the answer to this: Are the chandy bulbs halogens? Halogens are certainly brighter, IMHO.

Hunter fan still makes them, and they have all the documentation online. Here is one.

http://www.hunterfan.com/product_detail.aspx?id=9972

well, i can live with the one I bought today. It takes 4 60 watt bulbs, and some of the new halogens put out 1000+ lumens off of 60 watts, so that should be adequate. I would be totally satisfied, except, this fan mounts flush with the ceiling. Is that going to look okay?

Will it take a standard downrod? If so, check the ceiling fan accessories section where you bought it, there's usually a few styles there to choose from.

There is far better selection online. I bought the Minka Aire "Airus" (from Hansen Wholesale which has a huge FAQ about ceiling fans) which has great lighting (plus both the up and down lights are dimmable) that is our primary light source in our family room. An ugly celing fan can really dominate a room so I'd shop around and find one you actually like. It took me a few weeks (several years ago) and I'm very pleased. Good luck!

Oh! And I don't know how hot it gets where you are, but huggable ceiling fans aren't as effective as those with downrods so that might be a concern as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Minka Aire Airus at Hansen Wholesale

This diskfan ceiling fan has a 4-light model with each light socket capable of powering up to 60 watts. I know you found one recently but you may want to check it out. Its new and although I haven't tried it, what I can see is nice about it is it's small :)

Also, concerning lighting I am using an old Hunter ceiling fan, that, with the exception of a chirp noise when on its high setting, runs quiet, but also has low wattage bulb requirements. However, replacing these with 19? watt fluorescent bulbs really makes the room shine like the sun (it's close). I love bright rooms.

Here is a link that might be useful: Diskfan Ceiling Fan Homepage