While the wealthiest in the U.S. possess most of the money, we who aren't the wealthiest can be upset by news reports about supposedly terrible people who recycle along state borders, paying others to pick up aluminum cans they can exchange for money. They do this mostly because they are just trying to pay their bills so no one will take their houses -- if they even have houses ("Michigan lawmakers seek to stop people from claiming refunds on out-of-state cans, bottles," Feb. 21).
I'm sure they do it just to get away with not paying taxes, and they can really get ahead, as reports ridiculously suggested.
It reminds me of me in the past and many other hard-
working waitresses, servers, etc., who make $2 an hour because no one thinks they should be able to make all of that tax-free money. Try waiting on hungry, tired truckers or anyone who's having problems at work or home, and tell me you feel any differently; most of the time they are treated as faceless and ageless.
There are murderers who we don't have enough room for in prisons, but we have time to crack down on recycling lawbreakers? Will their mug shots be shown so I will be able to identify them and make some extra money of my own if they seem to get away with it? Whatever happened to love and compassion for others and our Earth?
ADVERTISEMENT
If any politician would take a day to pick up recyclables to cash them in and donate the money to the people who are really doing it, maybe a lot of things would change in our Western way of thinking. Then we could be grateful for all of the things we often take for granted.
Cathi Martwick
Twig
