One man's trash can be government revenue

Imagine the government had someone going through your garbage inspecting everything. Sounds like some hidden part of the Patriot Act, right? We can expect the protests any minute now. Actually, it's part of Seattle's recycling program, so there will be no marches on Washington.

The trash collectors come by your house and inspect your garbage. If your trash has more than 10 percent recyclable materials, then your trash will be left at the curb with a warning. If it happens again you will be fined $50.

You won't find many of the negative points or any one opposed to the program in the fawning newspaper article.

The same people that hail this as a wonderful advance would be protesting if the Bush administration had done this. How dare they invade my privacy and rifle through my trash. Several New York Times editorials would bemoan our loss of privacy.

Most liberals would say the difference is that the Seattle program is meant for a good cause - recycling. But there is the difference between conservatives and liberals. For liberals recycling is a good cause. For conservatives national security is a good cause.

This is just one more reason to root for the Carolina Panthers this Sunday.

Comments

[Sam]

Aaron,

If a Democrat had approved spying on American citizens, you'd be up in arms. It's only because you like Bush that you don't have a problem with spying. As for the recyling program, what's the problem? Trashmen are slightly, ever so slightly different from federal agents.

[seeker]

Yeah Aaron, were they READING the people's mail? I'm not for spying per se, but in situations like we have, I'm just not that upset.

I mean, the Italians used the same tactics to foil some serious attack plans in their country. Bush could have at least pulled in the House majority and minority leaders before doing his spying...hmm.

[Evil_Lonnie]

The city of Pleasanton, CA has managed to create simple, one bin recycling that has proven effective.

Many liberals that I know hate it. They seem to think that you have to suffer in order to be an environmentalist. Geez, I hate Green-Chic.

I would say that it is probably the waste management company lobbying the city to do this to bring down their costs. The fact that they have a government employee doing this is criminal in my mind.

[seeker]

Yeah, one bin is awesome! Easier for me, and probably more efficient to boot. But my home town isn't even big enough to have recycling yet - but they're talking about it.

[Aaron]

I find government mandated recycling to be troubling. Call me crazy, but I don't see that as a legitimate use of government. I'd rather save the money and give it back to the taxpayers.

[seeker]

I dunno Aaron, we have to think about the future, our resources, our environment. Recycle, reuse and reduce are good ideas, esp. for us wasteful Americans.