First, here is the latest picture of Amanda. We had our doctor's appointment today, and, since our last appointment 3 weeks ago, Amanda has gained 11 pounds . . .for a grand total of 23 pounds. Bjarni, our midwife, was able to feel the head and the little bum by massaging Amanda's belly. He is positioned exactly how he is supposed to be. This Friday will be 30 weeks. Holy Crap.
I wrote about the post office before, and how they are unfair to keep raising rates instead of trying to compete in our capitalistic society . . .so I wont get into that again. But what bothers me lately ( and I have noticed a steady increase in fact) is junkmail.
Its not so much that I mind the chore of actually picking it up and throwing it in the recycling bin that bothers me . . .but its the fact that "I" need to be the "responsible one" and DO the recycling. The government loves to regulate everything--particularly when it comes to the environment. They regulate packaging on goods, smoke stacks on factories, automobile emissions, dumping into sewers, state car inspections . . .you name it. But has the government ever stopped to consider how many TREES are killed each DAY in order to produce paper on which to print and circulate junk mail? And then, out of the other side of their mouths, the government tells us the importance of recycling . . .
The post office, after all, is a government agency, so why dont they regulate themselves and the volume of junk mail that they allow to be delivered? Unfortunately, I think they would . . .if they didnt make money off of it. . . .
I firmly believe that if the post office (i.e. the government) didnt make money off of junk mail, then they would surely put some kind of sanction on it (have you ever notice there are no "do not mail" lists to partner up with the "do not call" lists to which you can subscribe?). This, without question, is just as much of an invasion of privacy.
But I think what bothers me the most is the hypocrisy involved here; the government loves to regulate "everyone else."The fact remains that the post office is making big money off of the "pre-sorted first class" fees that car dealerships, drug stores, Wal Marts, and other businesses PAY in order to have junk mail delivered to your house--they have a pretty good system going, and frankly, its just plain extortion. And some of it is very deceptive, in fact--we often get "real" looking envelopes with "real" looking stamps . . .that just turn out to be credit card applications, etc.
If the local post office suddenly had to become as accountable for environmental vigilance as everyone else did, they would lose a lot of revenue.
But then again, they could always just raise the price of stamps, right?
6 comments:
To play devil's advocate for a minute, if the gov't is going to regulate the amount of junk mail that can be delievered/created, then they would be able to regulate the amount of paper one can purchase at Staples or any paper retailer.
The companies that choose to use "mass mailing" for advertising choose to do so to reach as many potential customers as possible. No one in the United States is required to have a phone number or email address however you are required to have a mailing address, either at home or by post office box. "Mass mailing" is the obvious choice to reach as many potential customers as possible.
Stop acting like an old dingleberry and toss the Gutterhelmet and Dentist advertisements in the fire!
If there was no junkmail...a stamp would cost about $5.00
Junkmail keeps the Post Office in business.
Ha ha. Dingleberry.
Can I rub your belly this weekend??? Just kidding. But I do want to feel my little nephew kick
Of course you can rub my belly. He moves a lot, so I'm sure that you'll be able to feel him. You might even be able to SEE him move, which is really cool.
i would write something scathing . . .but i need to go take my osteo-flex and my water pill .
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