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You keep blaming the left for the idea of recycling. Whatever became of the word conservation?

Great question. Conservation is a wonderful concept, when its aims and goals are sound and based upon sound science. Unfortunately the left has seized on an idea that makes sense on its face to many people but has no basis in sound science. Their goal? The defeat of capitalism. They hate disposable products and consumer comforts because those represent the pinnacle of capitalism providing what people want.

A very powerful series of environmental laws can be used defeat capitalism and private property rights which are anethema to leftists.

Conservation is a good idea. Conservation under the rules and dictates of the left is a BAD idea. Most environmental law in this country was written by liberals without regard to honest science.

See my posts above on the fallacies of MODERN recycling policies.

I saw your post and will not read it all. I went through the information about six years ago in southern cal after moving from Elk Grove. We will drown in trash here in a few years unless we can bring it to Elk Grove. I think you have done a lot of research, but you seem to say IF it works. That's where you might spend you time.

As for capitalism, who picks up the trash and recycles in your area? I don't recall if it's private or public. Where I live now it's private.

Wow, this certainly turned out to be a contentious thread :-)

Most people, even intelligent and conservative people, don't consider the science of the question before forging ahead to the 'solution'. Certainly politicans would not be inclined to actually learn something about the issue before they pass yet another law. After all, the goal is that we 'feel good', not actually solve a problem. In fact, the question of whether there is actually a problem is usually ignored too.

Likewise, economics is rarely considered, i.e., you are facing an economic penalty if you produce too much garbage in a week.

- Let's take a big leap and assume for arguments sake that landfill space is lmitied (as it is in some areas). There is then a valid economic reason for a government to place a limit (hopefully well-reasoned) on garbage it has to pay to dump at a landfill (or whereever).

- You stated that for years you did not exceed this limit. In fact, no doubt you actually came in under the limit during your early family life. Have you been compensated for these years of 'underproducing' garbage? Perhaps this shortfall volume should have been placed in escrow for you to draw upon when needed.

- No doubt there are some families in your area who are currently underproducing. Shouldn't their shortfall accrue to someone?

Assuming a valid reason for placing a limit on per-household garbage, it only seems economically rational and fair that this limit be looked at as a limit on the total garbage produced by your community. As long as there are some families (no doubt many) who are underproducing, you should be allowed to exceed the per-capita limit, i.e. take up their slack.

Too rational? Sure. Overanalysed? No doubt.

Sorry for the long post, but at least it is shorter than yours above! lol, j/k