State should ban plastic bags

And the nanny state marches on. A better idea is to require the bags to be biodegradable. Now there is an idea. The technology already exists (as do the bags) so why not go that way and retain the great customer service feature of the grocer bagging your groceries.

This is silly as it only addresses food stores. What about all the other retailers? Did anyone do any research to find out where the most plastic bags are used? I doubt it. What about drug stores? Why exclude them and mass merchants like Target and Wal Mart? Department stores?
Once again the legislature is doing something that feels good as opposed to makes sense.
And of the plastic trash we see in the ocean and other places how much is plastic bags? Not a lot as they get reused! Most of it is other stuff such as 6 pack connectors, food containers, Styrofoam cups, etc etc.
If something that really has an impact needs to be done, then do it across the board and not this hit or miss silliness that has no real impact on the problem.
I'm surprised you did not think this through P-T.

Realistic wrote:

This is silly as it only addresses food stores. What about all the other retailers? Did anyone do any research to find out where the most plastic bags are used? I doubt it. What about drug stores? Why exclude them and mass merchants like Target and Wal Mart? Department stores?
Once again the legislature is doing something that feels good as opposed to makes sense.
And of the plastic trash we see in the ocean and other places how much is plastic bags? Not a lot as they get reused! Most of it is other stuff such as 6 pack connectors, food containers, Styrofoam cups, etc etc.
If something that really has an impact needs to be done, then do it across the board and not this hit or miss silliness that has no real impact on the problem.
I'm surprised you did not think this through P-T.

Maybe you should read the article before you comment. She wants to ban the use of all plastic bags in California. It mentions that the Grocers Association has joined her cause.

Its called reading comprehension.

I tried using one of those reusable canvas condoms but my GF didn't like it.

Butt Out!

People will remember this when they vote.

We have bankrupted our children and grandchildren and this is the only issue you can write about.

SPONSORED by GLAD

A better use for the plastic bags would be to put them over the heads of the politicians and snug them up around their necks. That would truly make the world a better place in only a few minutes.

That the Press Telegram would support the politicians imposing what amounts to a "grocery tax" for the purpose of circumventing the existing exemption of food as taxable items comes as no surprise.

When the Government imposed control over dated publications by imposing sales taxes on them, our newspapers, including the Press Telegram, went along in order to go along. It is not surprising that they would now be supportive to every new tax increase our clever politicians cook up.

When the politicians began their abusive war directed against the many millions of decent peaceful women and men who smoke tobacco *(for purposes of increased Government taxation and control only), the Press Telegram,*(unlike the less radical Los Angeles Times), was a vocal advocate of that dastardly deed.

The result was that once abusive Government taxes were imposed on those decent law abiding folks, they were unable to pay both the increased Government taxes and the subscription cost of the Press Telegram.

To make up for those who formerly subscribed to the paper, the Press Telegram raised its price, something that was soon rescinded due to lack of consumer support. Does the Press Telegram advocating a grocery bag tax foretell another attempt at raising the price of the paper?

Ronald

Do not support ANY tax. EVEN they decided to try to tax the act of rape, vote against it.

NO NEW TAXES!

PaperPlastic RockScissors wrote:

A better use for the plastic bags would be to put them over the heads of the politicians and snug them up around their necks. That would truly make the world a better place in only a few minutes.

True, then toss the bags in the water. Inside or outside the breakwater, doesn't matter to me.

What about the days when the Press-Telegram is delivered in a plastic bag. Who wants a wet paper every time it rains.

Btw the PT plastic bags are perfect for picking up dog p***.

Your paper cannot allow a stupid idea to be presented without endorsing it.

I think we should outlaw Rubber Bands and Newsprint.

Ronald wrote:

That the Press Telegram would support the politicians imposing what amounts to a "grocery tax" for the purpose of circumventing the existing exemption of food as taxable items comes as no surprise.
When the Government imposed control over dated publications by imposing sales taxes on them, our newspapers, including the Press Telegram, went along in order to go along. It is not surprising that they would now be supportive to every new tax increase our clever politicians cook up.
When the politicians began their abusive war directed against the many millions of decent peaceful women and men who smoke tobacco *(for purposes of increased Government taxation and control only), the Press Telegram,*(unlike the less radical Los Angeles Times), was a vocal advocate of that dastardly deed.
The result was that once abusive Government taxes were imposed on those decent law abiding folks, they were unable to pay both the increased Government taxes and the subscription cost of the Press Telegram.
To make up for those who formerly subscribed to the paper, the Press Telegram raised its price, something that was soon rescinded due to lack of consumer support. Does the Press Telegram advocating a grocery bag tax foretell another attempt at raising the price of the paper?
Ronald

Malibu banned the plastic bags quite a while ago. Ralphs supermarket gave out free canvas totes after the law passed and now they give you "points" or a discount for using the bags. Works out quite well, a very smart, proactive solution. And as the grocers say, a win-win situation.
Only the nabobs of negativism and the plastic bag lobby would be against this.

JesusCristo wrote:

<quoted text>
Malibu banned the plastic bags quite a while ago. Ralphs supermarket gave out free canvas totes after the law passed and now they give you "points" or a discount for using the bags. Works out quite well, a very smart, proactive solution. And as the grocers say, a win-win situation.
Only the nabobs of negativism and the plastic bag lobby would be against this.

JesusCristo.

You are right. Now that Big Food robber barons have had their politician pals eliminate "choice" for them by inflicting yet another controlling law on an oppressed public, they will make out like bandits. Not only will the corrupt politicians be able to effectively impose taxes on tax exempt food items, but Big Food profits will increase as well. Big Food robber barons will no longer have the expense of providing the convenience of containers that the food eaters used to be able to take their overpriced groceries home.

Ronald

According to the Press Telegram:

"What did come as a welcome political stunner this month was her *(Assemblywoman Julia Brownley)convincing the California Grocers Association to join her cause.

That's a game-changing shift, since it also eliminated opposition from the powerful Chamber of Commerce."

Closer to home:

"two Long Beach City Council members voiced support Tuesday for the ban" *(In plain English, that means "imposing the tax")

In an article entitled "Chamber says Long Beach can't afford breakwater study", the Press Telegram quotes the Chamber of Commerce as having opined:

"The Chamber of Commerce warned City Hall officials Wednesday that the fiscally struggling city cannot afford to invest $4 million on a breakwater feasibility study"

Why can't the high-flying "well fixed" politicians and the Chamber of Commerce get together and plead the case for the mostly impoverished city residents being financially unable to afford paying food taxes, no matter how it may be disguised by the politicians. Just who are they representing anyway?

Shouldn't the politicians be representing we poor struggling folks who are absolute majority in Long Beach? We did not elect them to increase the profits of Big Food and to devise clever ways for their Big Wall Street pals to earn outrageous fees selling Grocery Bag Futures bonds.

Ronald

James wrote:

<quoted text>
Maybe you should read the article before you comment. She wants to ban the use of all plastic bags in California. It mentions that the Grocers Association has joined her cause.
Its called reading comprehension.

Maybe you better read the proposed law. It only applies to food markets!

When will the government going to charge us for the air we breathe? Next week?

If they ban plastic bags, what will I use to clean up my cats' poop?

Ronald wrote:

<quoted text>
JesusCristo.
You are right. Now that Big Food robber barons have had their politician pals eliminate "choice" for them by inflicting yet another controlling law on an oppressed public, they will make out like bandits. Not only will the corrupt politicians be able to effectively impose taxes on tax exempt food items, but Big Food profits will increase as well. Big Food robber barons will no longer have the expense of providing the convenience of containers that the food eaters used to be able to take their overpriced groceries home.
Ronald

Don't panic ! Paper bags are still available and actually cost much more for the "Big Food robber barons" to offer than plastic bags. This is a good small step people can take;stop whining and be a small part of the solution :)

SSS wrote:

If they ban plastic bags, what will I use to clean up my cats' poop?

Poopbags.com for biodegradable poop bags! Come on people, we can do this !