[Grovenet] Not Being Poor (WAS: Garbage question)

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Good point, Allen, and it demonstrates the weakness of *any* blanket
statement, and the great importance of paying attention to the details ;-)

I love Ed Begley, Jr., because he's such a wonderful, clear-cut example of
results-oriented behavior.  I don't aspire to producing only 30 gallons/year
of garbage to be hauled away, but he does demonstrate a very important way
to think: question the obvious. 

Anyone who's watched a wild animal creep up on its prey knows what I mean.
>From our position as objective observers we can see exactly what's
happening, and if it's a cat sneaking up on a bird might be driven to jump
up and warn the unsuspecting prey.

But we're often the prey. Nowadays it's not usually a wild animal creeping
up on us, but it still happens. Things important to us, such as how much
we're spending, change so slowly we accept it as normal, especially if we're
given some reasons to justify the change, just as the bird might accept the
presence of the cat if it approaches slowly enough with adequate cover.  

Part of our human survivability is to adapt to changing conditions, but I
submit we must question whether we must or should accept all changes. 

One of the reasons we often find having enough money a challenge is that we
have allowed things that absorb our money to creep up on us. We're told to
expect it, thanks to constant inflation, or that there's some sound reason
for the cost that we don't understand. If we accept that 'cover', we become
desensitized to the approaching problem and don't question too closely why
we're spending a few dollars here or and extra few cents there. 

When we add a new expense it's often justified by "we must do that.." or, if
it's something we want, it's because "I deserve it..." or "the children
deserve it.." (even if we have to borrow the money to get it). 

And while we're wondering where to get the money, we've forgotten to
question why we need the money in the first place: why should we pay for
this or that? What does that expense really gain us? Is it reasonable for
what we get out of it?

I've had friends observe, "I don't have time to question every bill!" But
they have time work overtime, or even work two jobs. 

After all, they say, the way to get out of debt is to make more money,
right? 

Ron D'Eau Claire 


-----Original Message-----
From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
Behalf Of Allen Warren
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 10:48 PM
To: Forest Grove local interests list
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] Garbage question


Not all that goes into landfills is organic waste.  I'm guessing the
majority of what ends up there is, but not all.  Case in point: 10 years ago
when I started renovating our money pit, I needed to dispose of lots of
heating duct piping that was covered in an asbestos insulation material.  I
purchased the required very thick plastic bags, each one holding the
equivalent of 42 gallons, filled 6 of these bags, hauled them to Hillsboro
landfill along with the requisite paper work, and disposed them in a
"special" area, an area slightly removed from where the rest of the garbage
was being unloaded and, no doubt, an area that seemed most likely to get
covered by regular household trash someday.

In terms of WMI being a monopoly, you're right.  And unless we're like Ed
Begley, Jr., the Hollywood actor who proclaims he recycles so carefully he
only has maybe 1 full garbage can all year that can't be recycled, we'll all
probably continue to be at the mercy of WMI.
 
Allen Warren