I observe in The Maui News on April 20 that the Nature Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation and Sierra Club found a way to deceptively generate donations to their admirable causes by convincing legislators to pass a law taxing everybody who uses a paper or plastic bag - even the poor. I certainly hope our legislators will not fall for this blatant attempt by these organizations to fund their favorite projects by legislation. Our governor, by lending his wife's efforts to the cause, has apparently already fallen for it.
I have no problem with outlawing plastic bags, as was done in Maui and Hawaii counties. I have no problem with a law requiring the use of biodegradable paper bags (which are available but more costly) and requiring those who want to use them to pay what it costs the merchant to provide them. But to impose a deceptive tax for the support of the objectives of nonprofit organizations is misuse of the public trust.
If you are not interested in this donation being imposed on you by our legislators, please write them and let them know they are being duped in the name of doing good for our environment.
Douglas J. Halbert
Wailuku
