Profiting Off Being Green
It seems that politicians in Seattle have figured out a way to line their own pockets in the name of being "green."
Seattle, if Mayor Nickels plan goes as proposed, will soon begin imposing a 20 cent charge for anyone who wants to use a paper or plastic bag at the gorcery store.
The charge is intended to help reduce the environmental impact of the 360 million plastic bags handed out in Washington State every year.
I have no problem with being green, but this is a classic example of how politicians have figured out how to profit on the green movement. Of the 20 cents, businesses will get to keep about five cents, with stores pulling in less than $1 million a year can keep both dimes. The rest goes to the city. It's no wonder Councilmembers Tim Burgess and Sally Clark were so quick to support the move.
The city expects the charge to generate about $10 million in tax revenue a year. That's $10 million earned in the name of being "green."
On top of that, the charge for the plastic bag use is subject to state sales tax. That's around another two pennies for the state each time someone forgets to bring their burlap sack with them to the store.
With all that being said, the craziest part of this is what they intend to do with the money they raise.
"About $2 million of that would go to promoting the use of reusable bags, including a program to distribute free reusable bags to low income families and the elderly" -Seattle P-I
One-fifth of the money being raised is going to be used to tell people that using plastic bags is bad. I think they may get the hint when they have to pay to use them.
I'm all for going green, but politicians are using the environmental movement as a way to line their own pockets without pissing off everyone else's bottom line. Next thing you know they'll be charging us to drive on weekends and using the money to explain their reasoning.
