PAX Centurion - Spring 2019

Page 42 • PAX CENTURION • Spring 2019 617-989-BPPA (2772) R ecently the City of Boston outlawed the use of plastic bags in all stores. Much to my chagrin, while purchasing some merchandise I was asked if I would like to purchase, for a nickel, a paper bag to put the merchandise in. I’m thinking to myself really? I just spent about $39.99 on a sweatshirt, and now I have to pony up 5 cents which will bring the total to $40.04! Do you see where this is going? Once again we are being nickeled and dimed to death! It seems we have another irritable tax in the form of a paper bag. Which once again brings up the age old question of paper or plastic? I can understand wanting to save the environment, but aren’t we taking out trees to supply the paper bag? I buy a fake Christmas tree just so I don’t have to chop a real one down. Little plug in Glade with an evergreen scent and it smells like holidays to me. Let’s talk about the problems created by the plastic bag law. This is a shoplifter’s dream! Now they can merely pick up an item, minus security tag, and head straight for the door if no one is looking. Even if they get caught the chances of being prosecuted in this liberal state of ours are highly unlikely, especially with our new D.A. With the most recent legalization of marijuana, brothels and the pole tax that will come along with it can’t be far behind. These miscreants will cause overall merchandise loss A bag job By Mark A. Bruno to skyrocket. Even with police details and loss prevention officers, it will still be hard to watch everyone who walks out with merchandise not in a bag. It has made life easier for the criminal element. I would like to see the statistics in a year in regards to how much more merchandise is ripped off. I cringe every time I buy a soda because of the nickel deposit that comes with it. As a police officer I know too well the angst this nickel deposit has caused my fellow officers. It starts with breaking and entering calls where homeless people are stepping into yards and alleys to collect cans and bottles. Sometimes homeowners come out and confront these individuals, and usually this turns into an assault and battery report, and or arrest. The other problem is trash bags being ripped open and garbage strewn about the street as a direct result of these nickel chasing can seekers. Now you have rats and animals feeding on the exposed waste. They call it a deposit but it really is a taxing strain on all of us. Let’s get back to the bags if we can. If the point is to protect the environment, then why offer me a reusable plastic bag for $1.00? Does this not defeat the purpose? Now the cost of bundling merchandise has fallen squarely on the consumer. If you ask me, no pun intended, this sounds like a real bag job!