When I worked in Seattle, I interviewed many people when city officials first proposed a 20-cent fee on disposable bags.  The vast majority supported the idea, so I was a bit surprised that the measure failed.

I have a couple of conflicting views on the issue.  Personally, I use reusable bags and wish more people would do the same.   There are billions of plastic bags in our landfills, along our highways and on the bottom of the ocean– all harmful conditions for our environment.  Some opponents have said that there isn’t any proof that less bags or the proposed fee would actually help the environment.  Well, I say, it certainly wouldn’t hurt.

But, on the flip side, I think when it comes down to it, I would not support a measure that tried to affect change through a tax.  Maybe with time and education more people will choose to do the right thing on their own, not forced into action with a tax.

I personally don’t feel that the protests and presence of healthcare opponents at town-hall meetings are manufactured, but I do feel many of those people are doing a great disservice to their cause.

Swastikas, hanging lawmakers in effigy, death threats—you are losing all credibility… for you and, unfortunately, even for the people who are bringing legitimate arguments to the debate.

I say if you feel strongly one way or another, go out in force!  Express yourself!  But compose yourself, so you come across as someone with intelligent and well thought out arguments for healthcare reform.

The person who screams the loudest, does not win the fight!