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The latest ‘fee’

One of the most memorable lines from “The Graduate,” which hit America in 1967, was when a guest said to a bewildered Dustin Hoffman, “Ben, Iwant to say one word to you . . . Plastics.” The man was talking about Ben’s future, up in the air due to existential paralysis.

Plastics — as in plastic bags — has reentered Denver’s consciousness. A committee of city council members approved a five-cent per bag fee on plastic bags Tuesday.

You know — the bags grocery store clerks stock with fruit and meat and Tide, and the bags many us use to line our trash cans. The goal is to go green — to encourage shoppers to bring their own canvas bags to the store.

Ecologically — a fine idea. But what’s with five cents per bag? In this economy, pinching pennies has become a national pastime. Choosing brands has come down to saving 10¢ here or a whopping 25¢ there.

If Denver passes this non-tax tax, people will bring their own bags and . . . lines will slow down, the amount of food able to fit into bags will demand repeat trips and, for a few, carrying heavy canvas bags to the car or up the stairs is untenable.

Go green. By all means, Just not on our nickel, literally. Nor on our already vulnerable lower backs.

Copyright © 2013 by the Intermountain Jewish News




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