Paper or Plastic ...or Tyranny!

WARNING...THIS RANT MAY (or may not) OFFEND AND/OR DEFAME LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE ...including me.

Ok..now that I am finished with my disclaimer, I know what I am about to say is old news, but my morning routine sparked this rant...so blame her. As I was preparing for the day, i decided to pack my lunch instead of eating out as usual (the recession finally got me). I planned on packing a sandwich, 2 peaches, a granola bar, and a bottled water...pretty healthy i might add! I then realized that i left my handy dandy lunch pal/bag thingy at work. Oh No What Ever Would I do?! Being the young MacGyver that I am, I stuffed all these items into a plastic Safeway bag and was out the door, just in time to be my usual 10 minutes late for work, yay! As I was driving, I got to a-thoughting, what if i didn't have that Safeway bag to save the day?? What would i have done? put my food in a pillow case? carry it via hand and eat it in the car for breakfast? juggle it? Though all acceptable options, I was glad the plastic bag had been around. I realized that I would not have had this (free) plastic bag option if i lived in a jurisdiction that places a premium on their use. Today, many jurisdictions are requiring customers to pay for paper and plastic (albeit usually under 10 cents)...the great paper or plastic debate is over...you both lose..cloth for president!!

Editors note: Some jurisdictions, such as San Fransisco, ** barf**, home of all things hyper liberal (insert Nancy Pelosi joke here), have even gone as far as banning such bags altogether! oh the humanity!

Look, I understand the logic, plastic bags are bad for the environment, but placing a tax to prevent/penalize their use? really??

At the end of the day the only people this tax is hurting are the poor. The poor (and myself) use plastic grocery bags for all sorts of things, from picking up dog poop to packing your lunch (see above). Yes people could use other containers that are better for the environment, but i argue that these items are yet another expense that some poor people just cant afford. Seriously, why spend $4.99 on gladlock sandwich bags when i can use a Giant bag for free?? I'd argue that on a number of levels this tax and the societal benefits it induces will be paid for on the backs of the poor, like most government initiatives proclaiming to benefit all citizenry ...see state lottery systems, increased liquor/cigerate taxes, proposed taxes on soda/fast food.

At the end of the day I just see this as another example of liberals forcing their views on the masses, without concern for the monetary costs on individual consumers. Because they believe that plastic bags are bad for the environment, we all must march towards banning their use. What "really grinds my gears" is that so called free thinkers to realize is that their "free thought" and way of living isn't for everyone. Some of us have more pressing day to day concerns than the environment..like umm..eating.When you force your liberal views and agenda on people what makes you different than the religious right?... specifically this guy.

ok, rant over  ** steps down from soap box**

ps... I identify as a free thinking liberal ..so yea, I'm also raging against the machine that is me.