This is Just Riddiculous

I'm a big supporter of the environment and I have serious concerns about global climate change, but sometimes, I think some things qualify as "going too far.”

I was reading an article in the Oregonian today. Apparently, for consideration during February's 1-month special session of the Oregon legislature, Representative Mark Hass of Beaverton has introduced a bill to ban the use of plastic grocery bags in Oregon.

Talk about ridiculous!

Much as I hate plastic bags,
And I wish that stores would stop using them,
I don't want legislation on the use of plastic bags!

In my mind, this kind of thing goes well beyond the purview of government. To borrow a phrase from N8 -- a phrase that usually irritates me -- I don't wants to live in a "Nanny State". I don't need my government to protect me from the evils of plastic bags! I am an informed citizen, and I know how bad the bags are for the environment, and I choose not to use them. I would love it if other individuals would also choose not to use them, and if stores would choose not to supply them.

Ideally, I'd love it if stores went to a European system and charged people for each bag they use. (They already do this at Ikea stores here in the U.S. It's another to LOVE Ikea.)

For now, I think we have a great system in place. People have the option to choose paper, or plastic, or re-use a bag. And MOST STORES give you a DISCOUNT for each bag you re-use. Some stores will also give you a discount if you don't use a bag at all and just carry out your items. I think it's a great incentive-based system. It leaves people the freedom to choose, and keeps government out of areas that, frankly, I just don't think are in their domain.

Now, in all reality, the bill probably won't pass. The legislature doesn't have time in their short session to get into the whole plastic bag issue. But I still don't like that that our government, that my government, thinks it is okay to legislate my grocery bags, even though I hate plastic bags.