Does anyone else think it's not right for government to spend taxpayer dollars to promote an agenda that is contrary to the economic wellbeing of so many?

Why not let each of us make a choice of how, when, where we want to spend our meager dollars. Social engineering of this kind is inappropriate.

Personally, I am in the "use less" camp, but I think it's ridiculous to use tax dollars to make that pitch. "Sustainability" is a religion in these parts, and I wish there could be separation between "church" and state. The little craftsperson who's trying to make a living sell you a $5 Santa Claus kewpie doll isn't going to get far with Saltzman and the recycling Mafia relentlessly hawking at the customers.

Maybe if the "craftsperson" made that kewpie doll from recycled "Portland Curbsider" issues?

Instead of saying "don't buy", the city could team up with the Sustainable Business Network to support buying local.

That's bad for the craftsperson, but this could be much worse: http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/

If the law isn't changed, it's going to be hard to find anything for kids that isn't mass produced by large corporations. None of us will be able to afford to make things for kids anymore.

Jack, I agree with you to "use less" or "reconfigure" what you got. My college thesis was titled "Making Due With What You Got".

I'm just particularly tired of every department, in every bureau, of every government agency having a public relations staff spending tax dollars to promote some social engineering position that doesn't, may not represent even a small minority of reality.

I'm waiting for CoP PR dollars being spent to promote Randy's Pissors. Why do we need to promote something that's going to happen naturally?

As an apartment dweller, I don't get the Curbsider. I assume our on-site manager receives it. What does this article have to do with recycling or handling garbage? Was there an actual useful article in this rag about - for instance - how to properly recycle the residue from Christmas morning . . . plastic packing material, wrapping paper, ribbons, etc.? Where to recycle Christmas trees?

I don't see why you shouldn't get one.

Anyway, there is a box on what to do with your "holiday tree," but nothing on the gift wrap detritus.

No step by step instructions from the city? What to do! What to do! I guess we'll just have to live around the wrapping paper until a new directive is published.

My college thesis was titled "Making Due With What You Got".

When was it do?

Gad, it's like looking at a recent issue of ReadyMade. "Learn how to make all of this cool stuff...but isn't it cheaper and easier just to buy it from Urban Outfitters?"

Tensk, I was wondering when someone would catch the do. Not one professor made mention of it 40 years ago. You're good.