Green is just another way to make money

People who want to make a positive difference in the world try to do what they can to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. But they're being made to pay for their choices. Literally.

Currently, we in the west are being told all about global warming, carbon footprints and the need to think green. I spent my teen years in Los Angeles, right after the catalytic converter was made mandatory, and during the oil crunch of '79, where it actually got to be a game to see just how far we really could make a car go on one gallon of gas, both to offset the rising price of fuel, and to reduce emissions. And I was already aware of the advantages of organic farming.

It's 30 years later, and apparently, neither Detroit nor the west at large has learned a thing. The powers that be have nevertheless managed to prey on our individual consciences (ignoring their own role in the current state of affairs), and encourage each of us to do things like avoid plastic bags and use, say, paper ones instead.

To which I say: Bullshit. Because you know what? Plastic bags here at my local grocery store cost half what the paper bags cost and are far more practical in our wet weather. So if the global warming crowd doesn't want me to ever use plastic bags again, either ban them, or make the alternative far more attractive. I already pay more for organic food at my store, and this in spite of organic being a cheaper way to farm, and now I'm supposed to pay more for something that's going to immediately join my newspapers in the recycle bin? (Plastic bags get reused umpteen times before they finally find their way to the garbage dump.) I don't think so.

Quit making me pay for trying to help.